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A 


BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY, 

FOR THE USE OF 


COLLEGES, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES; 


BEING A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE 


PRINCIPAL PERSONAGES OP HISTORY, 


* WIHI 

DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH, &c. ; TO WHICH ARE ADDED 
COMPLETE CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES, SHOWING THE 
RULERS OF THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF 
THE WORLD. 


BT /0? 7 *C 

REV. REUBEN PARSONS, D. D. 

* 4 


A NEW AND REVISED EDITION. 


NEW YORK: 

D. & J. SADLIER & CO., 31 BARCLAY STREET. 

MONTREAL :—COR. NOTRE DAME AND ST. FRANCIS XAVIER STREETS. 


1874. 



CT/03 



Entered according to Act oi Congress, in the year 1872, 
By D. & J. UADiJER & CO., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 


stereotyped by VINCENT DILL, 

25 Sc 27 New-Chambera St., N. Y. 


i 



'2 * 


PEE FACE. 


“Know thyself!” was given by an ancient philo¬ 
sopher as an axiom, and most persons have regarded 
it as worthy of consideration, even though preferring 
to know something about others. In accordance 
with this latter tendency, we try to contribute a 
small quota of labor to the general satisfaction. 
Attempting to do so, in a little volume like this, we 
have been obliged to leave out many personages 
worthy of mention, for their biography would have 
too much encroached on our space. 

We have confined ourselves entirely to the princi¬ 
pal characters of history, although by so doing we 
have been a little annoyed, since many “minor” 
personages are, to our mind, of more importance 
than the “great ones.” 

As to the Saints, we have noticed but a few of 
that glorious body, since most families, and all stu¬ 
dents, have access to Butler’s “Lives.” Comment 



IV 


PREFACE. 


on the career of parties we have treated of, is neces¬ 
sarily quite brief—when at all introduced. 

That this little volume will prove of some advan¬ 
tage to the cause of education, we are confident, 
since very few persons find it convenient to consult 
an immense “ Encyclopedia,” even though ever so 
desirous to learn something about an important 
character or event. 

Through the entire progress of this book, we have 
ever had in view, not only the advantage of the 
young, but also the convenience of the various bands 
of noble religious now engaged in the cause of edu¬ 
cation. Trusting that by our labor some good may 
accrue to them, as well as to their precious charges, 
—future citizens of our dear Republic—we commit 
the volume into their hands. 

R. P. 


t 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGEAPHY. 


A. 

AARON—Eldest brother of Moses, was born in Egypt, 
the year before Christ, 1728, and took part in all that his 
brother did for the deliverance of the Hebrews from the 
yoke of the Pharaohs. He was designated by God to 
exercise the priestly functions, and his posterity had the 
same right. He died in the 123d year of his age. 

ABBAS—Uncle of Mahomet, at first opposed by force 
of arms the enterprises of his nephew; but being van¬ 
quished, he submitted, and recognized the imposter as 
“ Prophet of Allah.” He died in 652. One of his de¬ 
scendants founded the dynasty of the Abbasides, which 
through thirty-seven caliphs ruled from 750 to 1258, 
when they were despoiled of temporal power by Holagon, 
grandson of Gengis-Khan. Their spiritual authority was 
recognized by the Mussulmans till the extinction of the 
line, which occurred in 1538. 

ABDALLAH—Father of Mahomet, was born at Mecca, 
about the year 550. As a merchant, he amassed great 
wealth, which paved the way of his son on the road to 
powen 



6 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [aB. 

ABD-EL-KADER—Famous Arab patriot, was born in 
1807, at Mascara. Endowed with most brilliant talents 
and possessed by a spirit of ardent patriotism, he so 
combatted the French in Algiers, during a period of 
fifteen years, that the history of the French conquest may 
be considered his own. He was finally taken prisoner by 
Lamoriciere, in 1847, and sent to France. In 1852, 
Napoleon III. gave him his freedom. He died in 1870. 

ABEL—Second son of Adam, was killed by his brother 
Cain, who was jealous of him because his offerings on 
the altar of sacrifice were pleasing to God. He left no 
posterity. 

ABELARD—Born in 1079, at Nantes, France. At the 
age of 22, he opened a school of philosophy, at which he 
usually had an attendance of more than 3,000 students. 
His heterodox ideas caused his condemnation by the 
Council of Sens, the great St. Bernard being there his 
adversary. He afterwards took the religious habit at 
Cluny, and died an edifying death in 1142. He was prob¬ 
ably the most erudite theologian of his time. 

ABRAHAM—Best known of all the patriarchs, is re¬ 
garded as the father of the Jewish nation. He was born 
in Chaldea the year before Christ, 2366. God commanded 
him to go to Chanaan, and after many vicissitudes of for¬ 
tune, he settled in the valley of Mambre, near Jerusalem. 
His son Isaac was there born. To test his faith, God 
ordered Abraham to sacrifice the young man; but as he 
was about to obey, an angel appeared und substituted a 
ram as the victim. He died at the age of 175 years. 


AE.1 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


7 


ACHILLES—Greatest of all the heroes at the siege of 
Troy. In the tenth year of that famous war, he was mor¬ 
tally wounded by Paris, son of Priam, the Trojan king. 
His actions are so involved with the absurdities of mytho¬ 
logy that an accurate record of them cannot be formed. 

ADAM—First of men in the order of creation, dis¬ 
obeyed God, and was expelled from the garden of Eden. 
He lived 930 years, and was father of Abel, Cain, and Seth. 

ADAMS, (John)—Second president of the United 
States, was born in Massachusetts in 1735. When the 
Revolution broke out he was exercising the profession of 
law. He was chosen member of Congress, and was sent 
as one of the Commissioners to Paris to obtain aid for the 
Americans. Finally, in 1797, he succeeded Washington in 
his high office. He died in 1826, enjoying the happiness 
of beholding his son, John Quincy, in the presidential 
chair. 

ADRIAN PUBLIUS—Roman Emperor, born in 106, 
succeeded to the throne in 117. He conquered the Sar¬ 
in atians and the Dacians, and temporarily caused the per¬ 
secutions of the Christians to cease. He died in 138. 

ADRIAN IV., (Pope)—Was born in England about 
the year 1100, and so far is the only Englishman to have 
worn the tiara. He was the son of a beggar, and himself 
a beggar; but nevertheless, his talents raised him to the 
papacy in 1154. He died in 11*59. 

AETIUS—The last of the Romans, defeated the hordes 
Attila, numbering 500,000, on the plains of Chalons, in 
the year 451. 


8 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[AL. 


AFFBE, (Denis August) — Archbishop of Paris, was 
born in 1793, at Saint-Bome-de-Tarn. For some time he 
was professor of theology, and in 1839 he was appointed 
coadjutor-bishop of Strasburg. He became archbishop 
Df Paris in 1840, and as such manifested great zeal and 
a lofty independence of character. During the street 
fights of June, 1848, he was profoundly grieved, and re¬ 
solved to endeavor to restore order. Accordingly, on the 
25th, he entered the faubourg St. Antoine, and placed 
himself between the combatants. For an instant his 
presence caused the firing to cease, but it suddenly re¬ 
commenced, and he fell, pierced by a bullet. He died 
two days afterwards, saying, “The Good Shepherd gives 
his life for his sheep.” The National Assembly raised a 
monument to Mgr. Affre in the cathedral of Notre Dame. 

AGATHO, (Saint)—Pope from 679 to 682, condemned 
the heresy of the Monothelites, and was the first pontiff to 
refuse tribute to the emperors in gratitude for election. 

AGNES, (Saint)—A young girl of Palermo, who suf¬ 
fered martyrdom at Borne in 304, being only 13 years of 
age. Her feast is celebrated January 21st. 

ALACOQUE, (Margaret Mary)—Blessed foundress of 
the community known as the “ Sisters of the Sacred 
Heart,” was born at Louthecourt, France, in 1647. The 
object of her society is the education of girls, and there 
is scarcely a country in the world which does not possess 
one or more of its establishments. Margaret Mary Ala- 
coque died in 1690, and was beatified by Pope Pius IX. 
in 1864. 


AL.] COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 9 

ALBERONI—Minister of the king of Spain, Philip V., 
was born at Piacenza, Italy, in 1664. He became cardinal 
in 1715. Being more of a politician than an ecclesiastic, 
he suffered much, but notwithstanding, he died in the 
favor of the court of Rome in 1752. 

ALCUIN—One of the most learned men of the eighth 
century, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 726. His 
education was superintended by the sainted Bede. Al¬ 
though an Englishman, he was invited by Charlemagne to 
teach in France. He was one of the most talented men 
of his time, and by his pupils was called a “ sanctuary of 
knowledge.’* As a simple deacon he died in 804. 

\ 

ALEXANDER, (called the Great)—Son of Philip and 
Olympia, was born at Pella, 356 years before Christ. 
While his father was besieging Byzantium, he governed 
the State, though he was only 16 years old. He ascended 
the throne at the age of 20, and in the course of time 
he conquered Thrace, Illyrium, and Greece. With only 
30,000 infantry and 5000 cavalry he subdued Asia Minor. 
At Issus he vanquished Darius, the great king of Persia, 
and took the entire royal family, except the king, pris¬ 
oners, yet treated them all most gallantly. Prosecuting 
his conquests, he then subdued Judea and Egypt, in which 
latter place he founded the city called Alexandria. Upon 
his return from Egypt, he again defeated Darius in As¬ 
syria, and became master of all Persia. He then attacked 
the Scythians, and gained, as usual; but upon his return to 
Babylon, he succumbed to the voluptuousness of Asia, and 
died a victim of debauchery in the flower of his age, only 
33 years old. 



10 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. L^’ 

ALEXANDER VI., (Pope)—Was born of the family 
of Borgia, at Valentia, in Spain, 1431. He was nephew 
of Pope Calixtus III., and by him was made cardinal in 
1456. Through a succession of intrigues he finally be¬ 
came pope in 1492. Before his elevation he was the fa¬ 
ther of the afterwards infamous Lucretia Borgia, and of 
Csesar, afterwards cardinal and duke of the Valentinois. 
He warred unsuccessfully against Charles VIII. of France, 
but allying himself with Louis XII., succeeded in regain¬ 
ing many provinces -of which the Holy See had been 
despoiled. He died in 1503. All manner of crimes have 
been attributed to this pontiff, but much allowance must 
be made for the malice and envy of his enemies, of whom, 
in consequence of his worldly character, he naturally had 
a large number. That he was, however, one of the very. 
few, who in the line of popes dishonored the pontifical 
throne, there can be no doubt. 

ALEXIS, (Saint)—Born in Rome about the year 350, 
was the son of a Roman senator of great wealth. He 
devoted himself to the priesthood, and after his death 
having proved by hundreds of miracles his worthiness 
to be placed upon the calendar, he is now venerated on 
the 17th July. 

ALFRED—Surnamed the Great, sixth king of Eng¬ 
land, of the Saxon dynasty, ascended the throne in the 
year 871. He conquered the Danes, but being afterwards 
defeated by them, he disguised himself as a minstrel, 
and penetrated their camp that he might discover their 
designs. By this piece of strategy he was enabled to 
capture London in the year 894, and thus establish tran- 


AN.] 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 


11 


quility in England. He established trial by jury and 
accomplished much for the fine arts in the kingdom. He 
died in the year 900. 

AMBROSE, (Saint)—A Father of the Church, was 
born in 340. He was governor of Liguria when the 
people of Milan elected him as their bishop. His life 
was that of a Christian priest, and his works are re¬ 
garded by his successors as among the best for a priest’s 
library. He died in 397. To this great doctor of the 
Church is attributed the composition of the celebrated 
“ Te Deum.” 

AMERIGO VESPUCCI—Born in Florence, Italy, in 
the year 1441. With his name that of Columbus dis¬ 
putes the honor of being that of the discoverer of the 
New World. Columbus only landed upon the islands 
of the “ West Indies,” but Amerigo landed upon the shores 
of Brazil. The New World derives its name from this 
bold Italian. He died in 1512. 

ANDREW, (Saint)—One of the twelve apostles, was a 
brother of St. Peter, and was a witness of the first miracle 
of Jesus at the nuptial feast in Cana. He suffered 
martyrdom at PatraS, and is the patron saint of Scotland. 

ANSELM, (Saint)—A great theologian of the eleventh 
century, was born in 1033 at Aosta, Italy. He became 
archbishop of Canterbury in England, and was regarded 
by the theologians of his time as a second St. Augustine. 
He died in 1109. 

ANTI-CHRIST—That is to say, enemy of Christ, is a 
mysterious personage announced in the Old and New 


COMPENDIUM Of BIOGRAPHY. 


12 


[as. 


Testaments to come one day upon the earth to en¬ 
deavor to undo the work of Our Lord. 

ARAGO, (Francis)—An illustrious astronomer, mathe¬ 
matician, and physical philosopher, was born at Bstagel, 
France, in 1786. He studied at the Polytechnic, Paris, 
and at the age of 23, attained therein a professorship. 
He did much for the cause of science, above all of physics 
and astronomy. He adopted the theory of the undulation 
of light, abandoning that of emission. He invented an 
ingenious polariscope and many other valuable instru¬ 
ments. By Arago were completed the labors of Ampere 
upon the relations between magnetism and electricity, 
and in 1824 he discovered magnetism by rotation. He died 
in 1853. 


ARCHIMEDES—Celebrated geometrician, born at 
Syracuse, 287 years before our Lord. He died in the yeax 
212 before Christ. 


ARIOSTO—One of the best Italian poets, born in 1474, 
in Reggio, was at an early age embassador of the duke of 
Modena at the court of Pope Julius II. His poems are a 
credit to Italian imagination. He died in 1533. 

ARISTOTLE—Surnamed the Prince of Philosophers, 
was born in Macedonia, in the year before Christ, 384. 
At Athens, he followed the lessons of Plato, and after the 
death of his master, he retired to the island of Lesbos, 
where he received a letter from Philip, king of Mace¬ 
donia, praying him to take charge of the education of his 
son Alexander. He followed his young pupil in his first 
Asiatic wars, but at last he returned to Athens, where he 


AT.J 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


13 


founded the famous school of the “ Lyceum.” After the 
death of Alexander, the great master was accused by en¬ 
vious people of impiety, and left the city, saying that he 
wished to spare the Athenians from the guilt of repeating 
the crime they had committed against Socrates. He died 
at Chaleis in 322 before Christ. 

ABIUS—Famous heresiarch, born in 270, in Cyrenea, 
was attached to the diocese of Alexandria, when in the 
year 312 he commenced to combat the doctrine of the 
Trinity. Saint Alexander and Saint Athanasius vigor¬ 
ously opposed his heresy, which was afterwards con¬ 
demned by many councils, and especially by that of Nice, 
in 325. He died in 336, at Constantinople. 

AKNALD OF BKESCIA—Was born in Italy in 1100, 
became when quite young a pupil of the great Abelard, 
and soon took the monastic habit. In a short time he 
adopted the role of a “ reformer,” made a great number 
of partisans, but was condemned by the Council of Late- 
ran in 1139. Having been guilty also of high treason, he 
was decapitated in Home, in the year 1155. 

ABTHUB—King of England in the sixth century, 
famous in the romances of the “Bound Table.” His 
career is so involved with fables that his very existence is 
doubted by the best historians. 

ATTILA—King of the Huns, surnamed the Scourge 
of God, commenced his reign in 434, ravaged the empire 
of Borne in the east, conquered Germany, and in 451 at¬ 
tempted the subjugation of France at the head of 500,000 
men, but was beaten with a loss of 150,000 of his troops. 


14 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [AZ. 

With the rest, he entered Italy, and was marching on 
Rome, when the Pope Saint Leo met him and by force 
of majesty compelled him to retire to Pannonia, where 
he died in 453. 

AUGUSTINE, (Saint)—Father of the Church, was born 
in Numidia in 354. His youth was passed in dissipation, 
and he for a long time professed the heresy of the Mani- 
chaeans. He taught rhetoric in Carthage and in Milan. 
In this latter city he became intimate with St. Ambrose, 
and by him was converted to the Church. He was ordain¬ 
ed priest in 391, and in 395 became bishop of Hippo in 
Africa, his own native land. By means of his sermons 
and writings he combatted the Donatists and Pelagians. 
He died in 430, leaving behind him a collection of theo¬ 
logical writings equal if not superior to any written by 
any other Christian priest. 

AUGUSTINE, (Saint)—Apostle of England and first 
archbishop of Canterbury, was sent from Rome in 596 by 
Pope Gregory the Great to convert Southern England. 
He succeeded, and died in the odor of sanctity in 610. 

AUGUSTUS—See “ Octavius.” 

AYRIL, (Philip)—A missionary of the society of Jesus, 
made an attempt to go to China by land in 1685. He 
got as far as Astrachan, but was compelled by unforeseen 
obstacles to try the Russian route. At Moscow the 
government stopped his progress, and he returned to 
France, where he died about 1696. He published a 
valuable book upon his travels 1692. 

AZEGLIO (Massimo Taparelli) — Marquis, Italian 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


15 


AE.J 

author and statesman, was born at Turin in 1800. From 
1821 to 1829 he gained quite a fame at Rome as a painter. 
In 1832 he married a daughter of Manzoni, and began 
a literary career and followed it up with success. His 
liberal tendencies were manifested by his treatise on 
“ The late events in the Romagna,” (184Q). In 1848 he 
was wounded at Vicenza while fighting the Austrians. 
In May, 1849, Victor Emmanuel made him prime minister 
of Sardinia, but as he was rather conservative in his 
ideas, he was succeeded by Cavour in 1852. He died in 
1866. 


B. 

BACON, (Roger)—A celebrated English friar, was born 
at Ilchester, Somerset, in 1214. His studies were com¬ 
menced at Oxford and finished at Paris, if such a man’s 
studies can be said to have ever been finished unless by 
death. Having entered the Franciscan order, he was 
stationed at Oxford, and from that moment gave himself 
entirely to science, such as it was in his time. So much 
did he acquire in the way of physical knowledge that he 
was accused of sorcery, and being condemned to prison, 
passed therein the best part of his life. After the election 
of Pope Clement IV. he recovered his liberty ; but when 
this pontiff died he was again consigned to prison, and 
left it definitely only a few years before his death, which 
occurred in 1294. To his genius is attributed the inven¬ 
tion of gunpowder, the telescope, and the pump. His 
greatest merit is that of having renpunced pure specula¬ 
tion and reduced ideas to practice. 

BACON (Sir Francis)—An English philosopher, born 


16 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BA, 

in London in 1561. When his father Nicholas, chancellor 
of Queen Elizabeth, died, he threw himself undei* the 
protection of the earl of Essex, and though he thus 
advanced to the post of councillor of the chamber, he did 
not hesitate to justify his patron’s condemnation to death, 
that he might humor the caprice of Elizabeth. The 
Queen, however, neglected him, and he turned his atten¬ 
tion to philosophy, and gained for himself a great reputa¬ 
tion. In the year 1618, James I. created him grand 
chancellor of England ; but in 1621 he was deprived of all 
his dignities, and spent the rest of his life in study. He 
died in 1626. 

BALIOL, (John)—King of Scotland from 1291 to 1314. 
After the death of Alexander III., Robert Bruce con¬ 
tended with him for the Crown, and when the claim was 
submitted to Edward I., king of England, for arbitration, 
the decision was in his favor. Baliol afterwards made a 
treaty with France against Edward, and by the latter was 
forced to abdicate after his defeat at Dunbar, in 1296, by 
the English forces. Edward fearing nothing from a man 
so imbecile, gave him his liberty, and he returned to 
France, where he died in 1314. 

BALTIMORE, (George Calvert, Lord)—Born in 1578 
in Yorkshire, England, was minister of £>tate under 
James I., but having become a Catholic he was obliged 
to resign his high office. Charles I., gave him a charter, 
in virtue of which he founded a colony in America, now 
known as Maryland, named by him after the Blessed 
Virgin. His colony was the first to recognize the prin¬ 
ciple of religious toleration in what are now called the 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


17 


BA.] 

United States. He died in 1632, and the city of Balti¬ 
more is his monument. 

BALZAC, (Louis)—"Was born in Angouleme in 1596. 
He did more than any other man to form the French lan¬ 
guage, just as did Dante for the Italian tongue. Cardinal 
Duke de Richelieu created him historiographer of France, 
and loaded him with honors. He died a most holy and 
edifying death at his family estate of Balzac in 1655. 

BARBAROSSA, (Frederick I., emperor of Germany) 
—So called on account of his red beard, was born in 
1121, and obtained the crown after the death of his uncle 
Conrad, of Suabia, in 1152. In 1160 he was excommuni¬ 
cated by Pope Alexander III., on account of his attack 
upon the cities of Italy, which were under the control of 
the Guelph party; but was pardoned by the pope in 1176 
when he made his submission after his defeat by the 
Milanese at Lugnano. He joined the crusaders in 1189, 
and gained some few advantages over the Turks in Asia 
Minor, but died at Tarsus in 1190. 

BARONIUS, (Caesar)—Cardinal, born in 1538, at Sora, 
Italy. He became in 1593 general of the congregation of 
the Oratory. Pope Clement the VIII. chose him for his 
confessor, and in 1596 he was made cardinal and libra¬ 
rian of the Vatican. Twice he was upon the point of 
being made pope. His best work is the “ Ecclesiastical 
Annals,” an immense work on Church history, and the 
foundation of all modern writings upon said subject. 

BASIL, (Saint)—Surnamed the Great, father of the 
Church, born in 329 at Caesarea, of Cappadocia. He became 


18 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BE. 

intimate with Saint Gregory of Nazianzen, and in 357 he 
left Athens, where this friendship had been formed, and 
founded a monastery on the banks of the Iris. In 370 he 
was made bishop of Caesarea, and from that time he de¬ 
voted his life to combatting the heresies of Arius and 
Apollonius. With great firmness he resisted the Emperor 
Yalens, who tried to force him to embrace Arianism. He 
died in 379. 

BALDWIN I.—The first Latin emperor of Constanti¬ 
nople, was count of Flanders, when in 1200 he took the 
cross. He became emperer in 1204, but was taken pris¬ 
oner and executed by John, king of Bulgaria, in 1206. 

BABRY, (John)—A commodore of the American navy, 
was born in Wexford county, Ireland, in 1745. In his 
sixteenth year he emigrated to America, and in 1776, 
obtained command of a United States frigate, with 
which he did much for the honor of the infant navy. His 
principal exploit was the capture of the English ship of 
the line, Atalanta, in May, 1781. He died in 1803. He 
is popularly known as “ fighting Jack Barry.” 

BAYARD, (Chevalier)—Surnamed the Cavalier, “with¬ 
out fear or reproach,” was born near Grenoble, France, 
in the year 1476. As a Christian, he was exemplary, and 
as a soldier he was a hero. He was killed at Romagnano, 
Italy, while covering the retreat of the army of Francis I., 
which had been routed by the Spaniards. This event 
occurred in 1524. 

BE AUHARNAIS, (Eugene)—Son of the general of same 
name, and of Josephine de la Pagerie (afterwards wife 


BE.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 19 

of Napoleon I.,) was born in Paris in 1781. His career 
was closely entwined with that of his stepfather, and as 
general of division he participated in most of Napoleon’s 
campaigns. In 1805 he was made viceroy of Italy, and 
in 1809 was charged with the command of the Italian 
army, with which he principally contributed to the victory 
of Wagram. In the famous campaign of Moscow, he 
held a high command and distinguished himself exceed¬ 
ingly. When the Bourbons were restored to the throne 
of France, Eugene retired to Bavaria, and there died in 
1835. 

BEDE, (the venerable)—Born in 672, in the county of 
Durham, England, was probably the most learned man 
of the seventh century. His life was passed in the mon¬ 
astery of Jarrow, where he wrote an immense collection 
of works on theology and philosophy. He died in 735. 

BELISABIUS—General of the Roman armies under 
Justinian, was born in Thrace in 490. In 532 he forced 
the Persians to make peace with Home, and the following 
year he took Carthage, thus putting an end to the rule 
of the Vandals in Africa. His next campaign was against 
the Goths, whom he defeated at Catania, Syracuse, Pa¬ 
lermo, and Rome. In 543 he once more entered Persia, 
and conquered Chosroes. Recalled to Italy, he retook 
Rome, which had been conquered by Totilla. In spite of 
his great services, Belisarius met the fate of many other 
distinguished men. He was forced to beg in the streets 
of Rome for the means of living, having been unjustly 
disgraced by the emperor. He died in 565. 

BELLARMINE, (Cardinal)--Great theologian of the 


20 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BE. 

congregation of Jesuits, was born in 1542, at Mo'ntepul- 
ciano, in Italy. He taught theology in Louvain and 
Borne, and was made cardinal in 1598, and archbishop 
of Capua in 1G01. Being appointed librarian of the 
Vatican in 1605, he retired to his diocese, and employed 
the rest of his life in controversial writing. His works 
are of great value, and his opinions are greatly respected 
by theologians. He died in 1621, and is entitled by the 
Church, “Venerable.” His “Catechism” is the basis of 
all similar works used in Christian schools. 

BENEDICT, (Saint)—Head of the order of monks 
bearing his name, and founder of monasticism in the 
West, was born in 480, at Norcia, in Italy. In the year 
500 (probably) he founded the great monastery of 
Subiaco, forty miles from Rome, where he was soon sur¬ 
rounded by a multitude of disciples. He afterwards 
started the monastery of Mount Casino, celebrated for 
the learning of its children. He died in 543, and his 
feast is celebrated on the 21st of March. 

BENEDICT XIV, (Pope)—Born at Bologna, Italy, 
in 1675, was archbishop of that city, when, in 1740, he 
was elected to the papacy. Of an enlightened mind 
and a kind disposition, he did much to conciliate the 
various factions which, at his time, were annoying the 
Church. He was a protector of science, and was himself 
a most learned man. He died in 1758. 

BENNETT, (James Gordon)—An American journalist, 
founder of the “New York Herald,” was born in Scot¬ 
land, and died at an advanced age in New York, 1872. 


BE.] 


COMPENDIUM OE BIOGRAPHY. 


21 


He was a self-made man, endowed with a strong will, 
clear head, and great tenacity of purpose. 

BERENGARIUS—A famous theologian, was born at 
Tours, in Fiance, the year 998. In 1039, he was made 
archdeacon of Angers, and as a professor of theology ob¬ 
tained for a long time a high renown. He fell into heresy 
on the Real Presence, but abjured his errors, and died at 
Tours, in 1088. 

BERKELEY—Celebrated Irish philosopher, born in 
1684, made his studies at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. 
The earl of Peterborough took him to Italy as secretary 
of legation, when he was sent as embassador of England 
to Italy. When he returned to Ireland, he obtained the 
deanery of Derry, and shortly afterwards resigned his 
benefice, that he might work for the conversion of the 
savages of the Bermuda Islands. Shortly after his arrival 
at Bermuda, he returned to Ireland, not having received 
from the British government the encouragement pro¬ 
mised him. In 1753, he died as Anglican bishop of 
Cloyne. His best works are those upon “ Principles of 
Human Knowledge,” and that upon the “ Christian 
Religion ” Above all he is celebrated for having sustained 
the theory that bodies do not really exist, and that their 
reality is to be ascribed only to our imagination. 

I BERNARD, (Saint)—Founder of the order of Bern- 
ardines, was born in 1091, at Fontaine-les-Dijon, in 
France, entered the order of Citeaux, and in 1115 became 
abbot of Clairvaux. So great was his reputation for 
piety and learning that his influence as arbitrator be- 


22 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BE. 

tween pontiffs and bishops, kings and peoples, was almost 
always efficacious. In 1145, despite of his modesty, he 
was forced to preach a crusade against the Turks, and he 
succeeded in his endeavors to persuade Louis the Young, 
of France, and Conrad III., of Germany, to take the 
cross. He combatted the errors of Abelard and of 
Arnald of Brescia with signal success, and checked the 
indiscreet zeal of the monk Raoul, who insisted upon a 
wholesale massacre of the Jews. He founded no less 
than seventy-two monasteries, and died in the odor of 
sanctity in 1153. 

BERNARDINE, (Saint)—Born at Sienna, Italy, in 
1380, devoted himself to the hospitals, and during the 
plague of 1400, showed himself a hero in the cause of 
charity. He entered the Franciscan order and became 
its assistant-general. Humble in the full sense of the 
term, he refused many bishoprics. His death occurred 
in 1444, and his feast is celebrated on the 20th of May. 

BERRY, (Charles Frederick, duke of)—Second son of 
the Count d’Artois (Charles X.), was born at Versailles 
in 1778. During the campaign of the Prince de Conde, 
he distinguished himself exceedingly. Upon the restora¬ 
tion of his family to royal power in 1814, he returned to 
France, and in 1816 married the Princess Caroline of 
N'aples. On the 13th February, 1820, he was assassinated 
by a fanatical republican called Louvel. In dying, he 
had the generosity to ask for the pardon of his murderer. 
He left a daughter and a posthumous son, the present 
duke of Bordeaux and count of Chambord, who, as Henry 
V., claims the throne of France. (1872.) 


BE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 23 

BERWICK, (James Fitzjames, duke of)—Marshal 
of France, was a natural son of the duke of York, be¬ 
fore, as James II., that prince ascended the throne of 
England. He was born in 1670, and made his first 
campaigns in Hungary. He became a French subject 
when the cause of his father seemed desperate, and as 
general greatly distinguished himself under Marshal 
Villeroi; and afterwards in 1704 as commander of the 
French against the Spaniards. In 1706 he obtained 
the marshal’s baton, and returning to Spain, took Bar¬ 
celona. As commander of the army of the Rhine in 
1733, he was conducting the siege of Philipsburg, when 
he was killed by a cannon shot. 

BESSARION, (Cardinal)—Born at Trebizond, in Turkey, 
the year 1397, was at first a monk of the Basilian order. 
In 1438, when the Emperor John Paleologus wished to 
reunite the schismatic portion of the Greek Church to 
the Roman obedience, he was made bishop of Nice, 
and upon the consummation of the union he was created 
cardinal by Pope Eugenius IY. The obstinacy of the 
schismatics so disgusted him that he determined to re¬ 
main at Rome, devoting himself to study, especially to 
that of Platonic philosophy. He died in 1472. 

BEZA—One of the so-called reformers of the sixteenth 
century, was born at Yezeley, in France, 1519. His 
youth was spent in dissipation, but in 1548 he gave signs 
of conversion to a good life. However, he allied himself 
with Calvin, and for ten years taught rhetoric and 
Greek at Lousanne. In 1559 he established himself at 
Geneva as superintendent of a college. After the death 


24 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BL. 

of Calvin, Beza was regarded as the chiel leader of 
“Protestantism.” In his controversial arguments he 
was very violent, and he has even been accused Of hav¬ 
ing instigated the murder of the duke of Guise. While 
preaching toleration, he was one of the most intolerant 
men of his time, and advocated the execution of Servetus. 
He died in 1605. 

BIANCHINI, (Francis)—Astronomer of Yerona, Italy, 
born in 1662, was the friend of Pope Alexander VIII., 
who encouraged him in his studies, and made him the 
secretary of the commission charged with the reforma¬ 
tion of the calendar. He drew a meridional line across 
Italy, and discovered the marks upon the surface of the 
planet Venus. He died in 1729. 

BLACKSTONE, (William) — Juris-consult, born at 
London in 1723, opened at Oxford a school of law in 
1753. This was the first school of law established in 
the University of Oxford. A few years afterwards he 
was made judge of Common Pleas, and in 1761 he 
entered the House of Commons. He is regarded as the 
best author upon common law, but the credit of all he 
has of good in his “ Commentaries ” belongs to the great 
Montesquieu of France, whom he used as a model. He 
died in 1780. 

BLANCHE, (Queen of France)—Born in Castille, was 
married to Louis VIII. of France, and became the mother 
of Louis the IXth. From 1226 to 1236 she acted as re¬ 
gent, and when her son went to Egypt and Syria as a 
crusader, she exercised the same office with great sagacity. 


BO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 25 

She was a beautiful woman and a good mother. Her 
death took place in 1252. 

BLUCHER, (General of the Prussian armies)—Was 
born in 1742, and made his first campaigns under the 
great Frederick. He served against France during all 
the wars of the revolution and the empire, and decided 
.the battle of Waterloo by his sudden and unexpected 
arrival upon the field. He died in 1819. 

BOLINGBROKE, (Yiscount)—Statesman and philoso¬ 
pher, was born in the county of Surrey, England, 1672. 
After having led a most dissolute life, he suddenly 
changed, and showed an ability which no one suspected 
him to possess. In 1700 he entered the House of Com¬ 
mons, and in 1704 was created secretary of state. He 
concluded the peace of Utrecht in 1713. A year after, 
Bolingbroke was disgraced, and in his rage he offered his 
services to James III. then in France. However, in 1723, 
he attached himself to George I., and in 1725 he com¬ 
menced a series of attacks upon the ministry of Walpole, 
which lasted for ten years. He died of chagrin in 
1751. - 

BOLIVAR—Liberator of Peru and the rest of Spanish 
America, was born at Caracas in 1780. He studied in 
France, Italy and the United States, and when General 
Miranda gave the signal of independence in 1811, he took 
the field, and freed Venezuela and New Granada. In 
1822 he became master of Peru, and south of that colony 
he founded what is now denominated Bolivia. He died 
in 1830. 


2 


26 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BO. 

BONAVENTURE, (Saint)—Doctor of the Church, was 
born at Bagnara, in Italy, the year 1221. He entered the 
Franciscan order in 1243, and became its general in 1255. 
When Pope Clement IV. died, the cardinals left to his 
decision the choice of the future pontiff. He chose Thi- 
baut of Liege, afterwards Gregory X. In 1272 he was 
made cardinal. He died at Lyons in 1274. His feast is 
celebrated the 14th of July. 

BONIFACE VIII. (Pope)—Born at Anagni, Italy, re¬ 
ceived the cardinal’s hat in 1281, and was elected pope in 
1294. He had many difficulties with the family of Co- 
lonna, with the Emperor Frederick, and with Philip of 
France. In 1303 he was arrested by order of Philip, and 
was badly treated by Prince Sciarra Colonna, who even 
struck him in the face. He died of sorrow, in 1303. 

BOSSIJET, (James)—Eminent French prelate and 
sacred orator, was born at Dijon, in 1627. He was edu¬ 
cated at the college of Navarre, and ordained in 1652. 
Receiving an appointment as canon in Metz, he left Paris ; 
but being often obliged to revisit the capital, he soon 
made himself widely known by the large number- of his 
converts from Protestantism and by the eloquence of his 
sermons. In 1669, he was appointed bishop of Condom. 
It was during the next two years that he pronounced his 
funeral orations , the most pathetic and magnificent ever 
written in any language. In 1670, he received the 
appointment of tutor to the dauphin, and for that prince 
he composed his “ Discourse on Universal History.” In 
1671 he was elected to the Academy, and in 1681, he be¬ 
came bishop of Meaux, and from that time devoted him- 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


27 


BR.] 

self almost entirely to the care of his flock, writing rarely 
upon other than ascetic subjects. In the assembly of the 
clergy of 1682, held in consequence of the disagreements 
between the king and the Holy See, Bossuet was a zealons 
defender of the “ Gallican ” side, though always enthu¬ 
siastically devoted to the papacy. Ever ardent for the 
conversion of Protestants, he published in 1688 a “ His¬ 
tory of the Variations of the Protestant Churches.” In 
the latter years of his life, Bossuet became involved in a 
dispute with Fenelon, on account of the mystic doctrines 
of Mdme. G-uyon, with which the latter prelate sympa¬ 
thized. (See Fenelon.) Preserving his vigor of intellect 
to the very last, Bossuet died in 1704. 

BRIEN (Boroihme)—King of Munster in Ireland, was 
born in 926. He reigned for fifty-six years, and during 
that time defeated the Danes in forty-nine.battles, chasing 
them forever from the island, at Clontarf, in 1014. He did 
much for Christianity in his dominions. He was assassina¬ 
ted by a Dane. His descendants wore the crown for over 
five hundred years. In 1543, Donogh Brian, (or O’Brien,) 
was dethroned by Henry VIH. of England. From that 
time the family was divided into two branches, the first 
of which died out in the eighteenth century in the person 
of Antonia, daughter of John, viscount of Clare and earl 
of Thomond, who was a marshal of France. The second 
branch yet subsists. The Irish people even to this day, 
regard Brian with an almost superstitious reverence. 
His sword, now exhibited in Dublin Castle, shows that he 
was a man of prodigious strength, as an ordinary man can 
scarcely handle it. Brian was the first king of all Ire¬ 
land. 


28 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BR. 

BRADY, (James T.)—An eminent American lawyer, 
was born in New York city in 1815. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1836, and soon obtained a great reputation. 
As a counsellor, his opinions were universally respected. 
He died February 9, 1869. 

BRIDGET, (Saint.(—Patroness of Ireland, was born in 
the county of Armagh, and died in 525, with the reputa¬ 
tion of great sanctity. Her feast is celebrated the 1st of 
February. 

BROGLIE, (Prince Victor)—Was born of a noble 
family of Italian origin. He was a deputy to the “ States- 
general” in 1789, became a field-marshal in 1791, and 
perished by the guillotine in 1794. 

BROUGHAM, (Henry) Lord—A distinguished British 
statesman, scholar, author, and orator, was born in Edin¬ 
burgh, in 1779, and died at Cannes in France, in 1868. 

BRUCE, (Robert)—Earl of Annandale, son of Bruce 
the Noble and Isabella of Scotland, disputed with Baliol 
for the succession to the Scottish throne when Alexander 
III. died, (1286). He allied himself with Edward I. of 
England, that he might triumph over his rival; but was 
deceived by that monarch in his hopes, and joined, there¬ 
fore, the famous William Wallace in his endeavor to 
deliver Scotland from the English yoke. His son became 
king in 1329, being recognized as such by Edward III. 
after many a hard fought combat. 

BRUNO, (Saint)—Founder of the order of Chartreux, 
was born at Cologne, in 1030. After having declined the 
lee of Rheims, in 1084, he retired to a desert near Gre- 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


29 


BU.] 

noble, and there founded his community upon principles 
the most austere. In 1089 he was called to Rome by 
Urban II., who had been his disciple, and for some years 
aided him in the government of the Church. Refusing all 
the dignities offered him, he retired to Calabria, and 
founded another community. He died in 1101, and his 
feast is celebrated the 6th October. 

BRUTE DE REIS UR, (Simon Gabriel)—The first 
Bishop of Vincennes, was born in 1779, at Rennes, the 
capital of Brittany, in France. He studied at St. Sulpice, 
Paris, was ordained priest in 1808, was consecrated bish¬ 
op in 1834, and died in 1839. His memory is in bene¬ 
diction among all American Catholics. 

BUCHANAN, (George)—Latin poet and historian, 
was born in Scotland in 1506. His studies were made 
at Paris. In 1530 he was appointed to the post of tutor 
to the earl of Murray, a natural son of James V. Hav¬ 
ing written a satire against the Franciscans in 1539, he 
was imprisoned, but managed to flee to France, where 
for many years he acted as professor of classics. In 1560 
he embraced what is called Protestantism, and so well 
did he engineer, that he got charge of the education of 
the son of Mary Stuart. However, he never betrayed 
the unfortunate queen. His last years were passed en¬ 
tirely in study. He died in 1582. 

BUCHANAN, (James) — Fifteenth president of the 
United States, was born in Pennsylvania in 1791. He 
graduated at Carlisle, in 1809, and in 1812 was admitted 
\o the bar. He was elected to Congress 1820, and served 


30 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[bu. 


until 1831, when he was made ambassador to Russia. 
In 1833 he was chosen as a United States Senator for 
his own State. In 1845 President Polk appointed him 
Secretary of State, but in 1849 he resigned. From 1853 
to 1856 he was ambassador to England. In 1856 he 
was elected President of the United States. When Fort 
Sumter was attacked by the insurgent forces, Buchanan 
refused to reinforce it, and the homicidal war of the re¬ 
bellion was the consequence. When he ceased to be 
President, he retired to Lancaster, and there died in 1868. 
Personally, Mr. Buchanan was an educated and amiable 
gentleman. 

BUCKINGHAM, (George Yilliers, duke of) — Bern 
in 1592, in the county of Leicester, England, was de¬ 
scended from one of the old warriors that accompanied 
William the Conqueror to England. Endowed with a 
fine mind and a beautiful person, he reached the highest 
posts of the State under James I. and Charles I., and 
enjoying the friendship of the great Lord Chancellor 
Bacon, he amassed immense wealth. In 1623 he was 
sent to Spain to negotiate the marriage of the prince 
of Wales, (afterwards Charles I.,) and by his insolent 
behavior caused an unjust war. He was sent a few 
years afterwards to France to obtain for young Charles 
the hand of Henrietta, daughter of Henry IT., but by 
his dissolute conduct in regard to the queen, incurred 
the displeasure of the minister of France, Cardinal Duke 
de Riehelieu-. In revenge, he aided the Huguenot in¬ 
surrection at Rochelle, but being defeated, he prepared 
another expedition in 1628, when he was assassinated by 
a Frenchman named Felton. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


31 


BU.] 

BUFFON, (Count)—Famous naturalist, was born at 
Monthard, in France, 1707. So great were his attain¬ 
ments in. physical science, that in 1739 he was admitted 
to the “ Academy of Science/’ and appointed superinten¬ 
dent of the royal gardens. He from that time undertook 
the labor which has made his name so famous, namely, 
his book on Natural History, upon wdiich he spent thirty- 
one years. He died in 1788. 

BULWER, (Edward George Earle Lytton)—Baron Lyt- 
ton, a distinguished British novelist, was born in Norfolk, 
England, in 1805. He has published a number of very 
popular novels, including, “Pelham,” “Last Days of Pom¬ 
peii,” “Rienzi,” “Eugene Aram,” &c., &c. He was raised 
to the peerage in 1866, and died in 1873. 

BUNYAN, (John)—An English anabaptist, born in 
1628, is celebrated for his book entitled “ Pilgrim’s Pro¬ 
gress.” He died in 1688. 

BURKE, (Edmund)—Famous Irish orator, was born 
in Dublin, 1730. In London he was admitted to the bar, 
and soon acquired a good reputation by his writings on 
social subjects. About 1760 he turned his attention to 
politics, and in 1765 became secretary to the marquis of 
Buckingham, first lord of the treasury. Soon after he 
entered the House of Commons, and warmly espoused the 
cause of the American colonies then in revolt against the 
mother country. With admirable eloquence he attacked 
Warren Hastings, governor of India, who had been ac¬ 
cused of abuse of power. Burke was an enthusiastic 
opponent of the French revolution, and .against his essays 
upon this matter he was combatted by the American 


32 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[by. 


enthusiast, Thomas Payne. Burke died in 1797, leaving 
behind him the reputation of having been one of the 
most vehement and pathetic orators of the English bar. 

BURNS, (Robert)—Scotch poet, born in 1759, was the 
son of a gardener in the county of Ayr, but early yielded 
to his taste for literature. Neglecting his business, he 
gave himself up to debauchery, and died in poverty, in 
1796. His poems are for the most part written in the 
Scotch dialect, and are remarkable for pathos and natural 
simplicity. 

BUTLER, (Alban)—An English priest, born in the 
county of Northampton in 1710, made his studies at 
Douay, France. He became rector of the English Col¬ 
lege at Saint-Omer. His celebrity rests upon his great 
work, “ Lives of the Saints.” He died in 1773. 

BYRON, (Lord)—Celebrated English poet, and grand¬ 
son of the famous Commodore Byron, was born at Dover, 
in 1788. He lost his father, captain in the navy, at the 
age of three years, and passed his early childhood with 
his mother in Scotland. In youth he studied at Cam¬ 
bridge, and led a most dissolute life. In 1809, he wrote 
his famous satire, entitled “ English Bards and Scotch 
Reviewers,” in revenge for a criticism made by a Scotch¬ 
man upon his “ Hours of Leisure.” He left the House of 
Lords that he might visit Portugal, Spain, Albania, Greece 
and Turkey. Upon his return he published his best 
poem, “ Childe Harold,” which certainly places him at the 
head of the long list of English poets. His other works 
tre numerous, and are models of diction, though often 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


33 


C2E.] 

loose in morality. In 1815 he married a woman who had 
been captivated by his genius, but her cruelty drove him 
to leave her two years after the union. From that time 
he led a reckless life, and finally associated himself with 
the Greeks in their revolution against Turkey in 1823. 
He died of fever at Missolonghi, April 19, 1824. He 
was an intimate friend of Moore, and a strong sympa¬ 
thizer with Ireland. Byron left his “ Memoirs,” but they 
were suppressed by his family. 

c. 

CABOT, (Sebastian) — Celebrated Italian navigator, 
undertook with his father, John, to discover a way of 
reaching the East Indies by the northwest of America. 
The project was encouraged by Henry VII. of England, 
in 1496, and though futile, it resulted in the discovery of 
Labrador and Newfoundland. The date of Cabot’s birth 
and death is unknown. 

CADWALLADER, (John)—Brigadier General in the 
American revolutionary army, was born at Philadelphia, 
in 1743, and distinguished himself at the battles of 
Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. 
He died in 1786. 

CAESAR, (Caius Julius)—Was born at Rome, in Italy, 
one hundred years before Christ. In his youth he was 
proscribed by Sylla, enemy of his uncle Marius, and 
therefore retired to Bithynia. Returning to Rome on the 
death of Sylla, he was made pretor, and in 61 B. C., com¬ 
menced his career as a conqueror in Spain. In 59 he 


34 * COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CA. 

was made consul, and in 58 lie commenced the conquest 
of Gaul. He had penetrated into Brittany, when Pom- 
pey, who was associated with him and Crassus in the 
government of Rome, caused his recall. Crossing the 
Rubicon, which was the limit of his jurisdiction, he 
marched upon Rome and assumed the dictatorship. He 
defeated Pompey in the plains of Pharsalia, and after he 
had conquered the king of Pontus in 47, he dictated to 
the senate his famous dispatch, “I came, I saw, I con¬ 
quered.Passing into Africa in 46, he defeated Metellus 
Scipio, and crossing to Spain, he ruined the hopes of 
the younger Pompey on the field of Munda. On his 
return to Rome in 45, he was made “ perpetual dictator,” 
and used his new authority with great discretion and for 
the good of Rome. However, he was assassinated in the 
midst of the senate by a horde of malcontents—foremost 
amongst whom was Brutus, whom he had covered with 
favors. This event occurred March 15, the year 44, 
before Christ. Caesar was not only one of the best gen¬ 
erals of the olden time, but also a fine orator and an 
eloquent -writer. His “ Commentaries,” which give a 
succinct account of his Gallic campaign, are remarkable 
for simplicity of diction, and for military conciseness. 
The best record of his life is probably that written by the 
Emperor Napoleon III., of France. 

CAJETAN—An eminent Italian prelate, was born in 
1469, at Gaeta, and from that fact he received his sur¬ 
name. His family name was De Yio. As a Dominican 
friar he became quite famous, and by Popes Julius II., 
and Leo X, was charged with many important commis- 
lions. In 1519 he was appointed to the see of Gaeta. 


CA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGEAPHY. 35 

Being sent as legate to Germany for the conversion of 
Luther, he failed most signally. He died in 1534, leaving 
some fine ecclesiastical writings, the most important of 
which is one on the authority of the pope, in which 
he sustains the infallibility of the pontiff. 

CALANDRELLI—An Italian astronomer of celebrity, 
was born at Zagarola, in 1749. Under the patronage of 
Pope Pius VII., he made many important observations. 
His mathematical works are the text-books in the Roman 
universities. He died in 1827. 

CALDERON DE LA BARCA, (Dgn Peter)—Spanish 
dramatist, was born at Madrid, in 1600, and composed 
his first play in 1614. At the age of 25, he entered 
the army as a private, but having attracted the notice of 
Philip IV., in 1636, he received a deal of encouragement, 
and entirely gave himself up to dramatic writing. In 
1652 he embraced the ecclesiastical state, and became a 
canon of the cathedral of Toledo. His dramatic works 
number more than a thousand, and though some genius 
is manifested throughout all, an utter disregard of his¬ 
torical facts is plainly discernible in each one of them. 
He died in 1681. 

CALHOUN, (John C.)—An American statesman, was 
born in South Carolina the year 1782. He was educated 
at Yale College, Connecticut, and in 1808 was elected to 
the legislature of his native State. In 1810 he entered 
Congress, and contended well for the “protective tariff.” 
In 1817 President Monroe appointed him secretary of 
war, and in 1824 he was chosen vice-president. In 1828 
he was re-elected on the same ticket with Gen. Jackson, 


36 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGKAPHY. [CA. 

and from that time advocated the “ free-trade” policy. 
In 1832 he resigned the vice-presidency and entered the 
senate. Under his influence, South Carolina prepared to 
‘resist the new tariff; but when Gen. Jackson declared that 
the first overt act of hostility would be the signal for 
Calhoun’s arrest as a traitor, the excitement subsided. 
Always aiming at the White House, he endeavored con¬ 
stantly to force the issue of slavery upon the American 
people, that he might gain the votes of the slave-holders. 
In 1843 he retired from the senate, but in 1844 President 
Tyler made him secretary of State. In December, 1845, 
he again entered the senate, and died in March, 1850. 

CALIGULA, (Caius Caesar)—Emperor of Rome, was 
the son of Germanicus, and born in the year 12 A. D. 
At the age of 25 he ascended the throne, upon the death 
of his father’s uncle, Tiberius. The first few months of 
his reign, were marked by acts of clemency, but he soon 
became a monster of cruelty. He was assassinated in 41, 
by Cassius Chserea. 

CALIXTUS I., (Saint)—Elected pope in 219, suf¬ 
fered martyrdom in 223. His feast is celebrated on 
the 14th October. 

CALMET, (Augustine)—Benedictine monk, was born 
in Lorraine, in 1672. After many years of successful 
teaching, he was created abbot of the monastery at 
Nancy, in 1718. He died in 1757. Among many works 
of value which he left, his Commentaries on the Bible are 
the most admired. 

CALVIN, (John)—One of the leaders of the “Refor¬ 
mation,” was born at Noyan, in Picardy, in 1509. When 


CA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 37 

quite young lie commenced to study for the Church; but 
abandoning that idea, he studied law at Orleans and at 
Bourges. In 1532 he commenced to defend the Pro¬ 
testant theory at Paris, but was compelled to flee to 
Basle. In 1536 he became professor of theology at 
Geneva in the interest of the innovators. Two years 
afterwards his rigorism caused his banishment, and he 
retired to Strasburg. In 1541 he was recalled to Geneva, 
and soon became all-powerful, even in politics. He 
caused the government to adopt his tenets, and in 1553 
his intolerance placed his fellow innovator, Servetus, at 
the stake. Calvin died in 1564. His revolution was 
more radical »than that of Luther, since he denied the 
free will of man, and proscribed all external worship of 
the Deity. 

CAMBACERES, (John Regis)—French lawyer and 
statesman, was born at Montpellier, in 1753. He entered 
the convention in 1792, and in 1794 became president 
of the assembly. Under the Directory he was minister 
of justice. When Napoleon was made first consul, he 
selected Cambaceres as his coadjutor, and under the 
empire the great juris-consult held the post of chancellor, 
and was created duke of Parma. In the drawing up of 
the “Code Napoleon,” he took a principal part. Exiled 
by Louis XVIII. in 1815, he resided in Belgium until his 
recall, in 1818. He died in 1824. 

CAMERON, (Simon)—An American statesman, was 
born in Pennsylvania, in 1799. In 1822 he became an 
editor at Harrisburg, and in 1845 was elected to the 
United States Senate. In the cabinet of President 


3S COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CAr 

Lincoln lie was secretary of war for a time, and in 1862 
was appointed minister to Russia. In 1866 lie was 
re-elected to the senate. 

CAMILLUS, (Marcus Furius)—A celebrated Roman 
general, was created dictator 395 years before Christ. 
After a ten years’ siege he took Yeii. In combatting 
the Falerii, he manifested a spirit of honor; for when 
a schoolmaster offered to deliver up all the children 
committed to his care, he caused the boys to strip him 
and scourge him back again. Touched by this noble 
conduct, the Falerians submitted to the Roman arms. 
Returning to the capital, Camillus was accused of em¬ 
bezzlement, and too proud to submit to trial, he went 
of his own. free will into exile. When the Gauls had 
taken Rome, the senate recalled him and again made him 
dictator in 389 B. C. The general of the Gauls, Brennus, 
having found it impossible to take the fortress of the 
capitol, agreed to leave- the city on the payment of about 
one thousand pounds of gold. The treacherous bar¬ 
barian used false scales, and when the Romans com¬ 
plained, he threw his sword into the balance and cried 
“Woe to the vanquished,’’(me victis!) At this mo¬ 
ment Camillus arrived, and annulling the agreement, 
gave battle at once, and annihilated the hordes of 
Brennus. When the Romans wished to establish them¬ 
selves at Yeii, he induced them to rebuild Rome, and 
is hence called the second Romulus. Twice again he 
was named dictator, and conquered the Volscians, Tus¬ 
cans, and Latins, and delivered definitively his country 
from the Gauls. He died in the year 365 B. C. 


CA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 39 

CAMOENS, (Louis) —Portuguese poet, was born at 
Lisbon about 1520, of a poor but noble family. In 
his youth he became infatuated with a cunning woman 
of the court, and in a moment of disgust entered 
the army of Africa, and lost an eye at the battle of 
Ceuta. In 1553 he went to India, and was exiled soon 
after for having satirized the viceroy. At Macao he 
composed his famous poem “ Luciad,” dedicated to the 
praise of the Portuguese in general, and especially to 
the glorification of Yasco da Gama. After five years 
of exile he was recalled to Goa, but was shipwrecked 
on the coast of Cochin China, and was saved while 
holding above the waves the manuscript of his poem. 
Receiving no encouragement, he died of chagrin and in 
poverty, at the hospital of Lisbon, in 1579. 

CAMPAN, (Henrietta Genet)—Born at Paris in 1752, 
was at first governess to the daughters of Louis XVI., 
and afterwards a lady in attendance on Mary Antoinette. 
Her devotion to the unfortunate queen so struck Napo¬ 
leon, that when he became emperor he made her supe¬ 
rioress of the establishment of Ecouen, where were being 
educated the daughters of the officers of the Legion of 
Honor. She died in 1822. 

CAMPANELLA, (Thomas)—An Italian philosopher, 
born at Stillo, in Calabria, in 1568. While yet young he 
became a Dominican and was soon remarkable for his 
precocity. His advanced opinions, and a suspicion of 
being engaged in a conspiracy against the Spaniards, 
then masters of his country, caused his condemnation 
'.,0 prison in 1599. After twenty-seven years of detention 


40 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[CA. 


lie was allowed to go to France, where he received a 
pension from Cardinal Richelieu, and died in 1639. 
The basis of his system of philosophy was the idea that 
our entire knowledge is derived from sensation. 

CAMPBELL, (Colin)—Lord Clyde, a British general, 
and a hero of the Crimean war, entered the army in 1808, 
and having served well in the Peninsula war, became colo¬ 
nel in 1842, and was engaged in the Chinese campaign. 
In 1848 he was made brigadier, and did good work in 
India. As commander of the Highlanders in the Crimea, 
he distinguished himself at Alma and Balaklava, in 1854. 
In July, 1857, he was encharged with the suppression of 
the Sepoy rebellion, and succeeded in 1858, after the deci¬ 
sive battle of Cawnpore. He died in 1863. 

CAMPION, (Edward)—Became a Jesuit in 1573, and 
labored with the celebrated Parsons to re-establish 
Catholicism in England. Under Queen Elizabeth’s sus¬ 
picions he was accused of high treason, and executed in 
1581. 


CAMPEGGIO, (Lawrence)—An Italian cardinal, was 
born at Bologna in 1474, and by Pope Leo X. was 
entrusted with many missions of importance to England 
and Germany. By Clement VIII. he was sent to the diet 
of Augsburg as legate of the Holy See, and in 1528 he 
went to England as a judge in the divorce case of Henry 
VIII. from the Queen Catherine of Arragon. He died in 
1539. 

CAMUS, (John)—Bishop of Belley, was born at Paris 
in 1582. Being a great adversary of the Dominicans and 


CA.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


41 


Franciscans, he was reprimanded by Cardinal Richelieu. 
He died in 1652. 

CAMUS, (Stephen)—Bishop of Grenoble, was born at 
Paris in 1632, and when he entered upon the duties of the 
episcopal office, became noted for his zeal and charity. 
Once a pastor lamented the proclivity of his people for 
dancing, and the prelate answered, “ Let them shake off 
their misery.” He was made cardinal in 1686, and died 
in 1707. 

CAMUSAT, (Jean)—A publisher of Paris, printer to 
the Academie, died in 1639. 

CANISIUS, (Peter)—Famous Jesuit, was born at 
Nvmwegen, in Holland, the year 1520. His real name 
was Yon Hondt. In 1545 he became quite distinguished 
at the Council of Trent. He wrote five works, the best 
of which is a “Summary of Christian Doctrine.” He 
died in 1597. 

CANNING, (George)—An English statesman, was 
born in London in 1770, and was educated at Oxford. In 
1793 he entered parliament, and in 1796 was made sub¬ 
secretary of State. In 1801, Pitt’s ministry was dissolved, 
and for some time Canning remained in the background ; 
but in 1807 he became secretary of foreign affairs in the 
ministry of the duke of Portland. A dispute between 
himself and Castlereagh, in 1809, resulted in a duel, in 
which he was slightly wounded ; but yet in 1814 he ac¬ 
cepted from his antagonist a mission to Portugal. When 
Castlereagh committed suicide, in 1822, Canning again en¬ 
tered the foreign office. In 1827 he became prime minis- 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


42 


|_CA. 


ter, but died the same year. During the greater part of 
his life he was a tory, but latterly became a whig. He 
fought well for Catholic emancipation. He possessed 
good power of argumentation, and was quite witty in 
his speeches.. 

CANO, (Sebastian)—A Spanish navigator, took part in 
the expedition of the Portuguese Magellan, and after that 
commander’s death, received the captaincy of the ship 
“ Victory.” After a voyage of three years, during which 
he circumnavigated the globe, he returned to Spain, in 
1522, and died in 1526. 

CANOVA, (Anthony)—Greatest sculptor of modern 
times, was born at Possagno, Italy, 1757. He was called 
to Rome in 1779, and soon arose to fame. He died in 
1822. His best works are the Mausoleums of Clement 
XIII. and Clement XIV., and a statue of Washington. 

CANUTE—King of England, was Canute the II. of 
Denmark, and following up the successes of his father, 
Sweyn, succeeded in 1016, in conquering the whole 
island of Britain. He married Emma, the widow of Ethel- 
red II. His piety was extraordinary. Upon one occasion, 
when his courtiers were flattering him on account of his 
almost omnipotent power, he caused his throne to be 
placed on the sea-shore as the tide was advancing, and 
when the waves were about to wet him, he said in rebuke 
to his auditors, “ There is but one Power who can say to 
the ocean^- ‘ Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.’ ” 
He died in 1036. 

CAPET, (Hugh)—Head of the third French dynasty ^ 
and ancestor of thirty-two French kings, was the son of 


CA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 43 

Hugh, count of Paris, and was born in 939. At the death 
of Louis V., the last of the Carlovingian monarchs, the 
barons gave him the crown ; but his right was disputed by 
Charles of Lorraine, heir of Louis. He conquered, how¬ 
ever, and died in 996. 

CAPO D’lSTRIA, (John)—President of Greece, was 
born at Corfu, in 1780. In 1806 he entered the Russian 
foreign office, and in 1814 represented Russia at the 
congress of Vienna. The next year he was made pre¬ 
mier, and signalized himself by his devotion to absolutism. 
In 1827 the newly-freed Greeks chose him as president; 
but his tyranny and his subservience to Russia soon dis¬ 
gusted them. He was assassinated in 1831. 

CAPRARA, (John)—Count, cardinal archbishop of 
Milan, was born at Bologna, in 1733. Under Benedict 
XIV., and Clement XIII., he served as nuncio at various 
courts, and in 1801 was made by Pius VII., legate a latere 
to the French government. In this latter capacity he 
arranged with Napoleon (then First Consul) the con¬ 
cordat which re-established Catholicity in France. At 
the coronation of Napoleon as king of Italy, in 1805, he 
was the officiating prelate. He died at Paris, in 1810. 

CARACALLA, (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Bassianus) 

•—Emperor of Rome, was born at Lyons in 188, and 
conjointly with his brother Geta was proclaimed emperor 
in 211. He killed Geta in the arms of his mother, and 
through his entire reign was a monster of cruelty. 
Filled with vanity, he took the surnames of Germanicus 
And Parthicus, although his wars against the Germans 


44 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CA. 

and Parthians had been ignominious defeats. He was 
assassinated at Edessa, in Asia, in 217, at the instigation 
of Macrinus, prefect of the pretorium. 

CABACCIOLI, (Prince Francis)—Admiral of the 
Neapolitan fleet, was born at Naples in 1748. He 
repulsed the English fleet near Cape Miseno, in 1799, 
acting then in the service of the republicans. When 
the royal cause triumphed, in 1799, he capitulated; 
but despite of that, Lord Nelson caused him to be 
hung, that he might gratify the revenge of his own 
mistress, Lady Hamilton, who most cordially hated the 
gallant prince. 

CABAVAGGIO, (Michael da)—Distinguished Italian 
painter, so called from his native town in Lombardy, 
was born in 1569. His family name was Morighi. He 
made his reputation in Borne, and especially as a skilful 
colorist. His masterpiece is “ Christ carried to the 
grave.” He died in 1609. 

CABDIGAN, (James Thomas Brudenell, earl of)—A 
British general, was born in 1797. He became a major- 
general in 1854, and during the Crimean war commanded 
the light cavalry. His dashing charge at Balaklava (Oc¬ 
tober, 1854) displayed an undaunted spirit. He died in 
April, 1868. 

CABIGNANO, (Thomas Francis of Savoy, prince of)— 
Was a son of Charles Emmanuel, duke of Savoy, and 
born in 1596. He obtained the command of the Spanish 
army in the Netherlands, and suffered defeat by the 
French, at Avesnes, in 1635. In 1642 he was made 





















































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WILLIAM CARLETON 








































CA.J 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


47 


generalissimo of the allied troops of France and Pied¬ 
mont, and defeated the Spaniards in 1G45, near Mora. 
He died in 1656. 

CARLETON, (Sir Guy, Lord Dorchester)—A British 
general, was born at Strabane, Ireland, in 1724. He 
became governor of Quebec in 1772, and defended the 
place in 1775 against the Americans. He died in 1808. 

CARLETON, (William)—A celebrated Irish novelist, 
born at Clogher, Co. Tyrone, Ireland, in 1798, was the 
writer of several novels which represent the lights and 
shades of Irish life very accurately. He died in 1869. 

CARLOS, (Don, de Bourbon) — Born in 1788, was 
brother of Ferdinand VII., of Spain. During the reign 
of Ferdinand, he was the leader of the Church party, 
afterwards denominated “Carlists.” Through the influ¬ 
ence of his wife Christina, who wished to place her 
daughter Isabella upon the throne, Ferdinand abolished 
the Salic law, thus excluding Carlos from the succession. 
In 1833 Ferdinand died, and Carlos proclaimed himself 
king as Charles V., and by force of arms endeavored to 
displace Isabella, in 1834. He was defeated, and fleeing 
into France, was imprisoned at Bourges until 1845, by 
order of Louis Philippe. He finally died, at Trieste, in 
1855, persistent to the last in the assertion of his claim. 
His son, the count of Montemolin, continued his conten¬ 
tion for the throne, but died, at Trieste, in 1860. The 
present Don Carlos, sen of Montemolin, is at this time 
(August, 1873,) struggling with the republic of Spain for 
the throne-of his ancestors. 


48 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. |_CA. 

CARLYLE, (Thomas)—British historian and essayist, 
was born in Scotland in 1795. Jn early life he devoted 
himself to literature, and was attached to the “ Edinburgh 
Encyclopedia.” About 1824 he published a life of 
Schiller and a translation of Goethe’s “Wilhelm Meister.” 
Continuing to contribute to various reviews, he gave out 
a curious book in 1834, called “ Sartor Resartus,” which, 
though quaint, is yet quite pregnant with thought, and 
a work which attained a rapid and wide popularity. In 
1837 he produced his “ French Revolution,” which is 
much admired by his countrymen, though dashed off 
like the work of a madman and in a ridiculously 
bitter vein. During a course of lectures in 1840, in 
London, he took occasion to manifest his “hero-wor¬ 
ship” tendencies in a fulsome eulogy on Frederick “the 
Great,” whose life he published in 1864. His last essay 
of note was published in 1867, and is entitled “ Shooting 
Niagara,’* and is devoted to a denunciation of the English 
and American liberals. 

CARNOT, (Lazarus)—An eminent French statesman, 
was born at Nolay, in 1753. He graduated as lieutenant 
of engineers in 1773, from the military academy of Me- 
zieres, and soon attained a reputation as a mathematician, 
especially on account of his theorem on the Loss of Force , 
published in 1783. As a member of the assembly during 
the revolution, he held a middle course between Jacobin¬ 
ism and Girondism. In 1793 his administrative genius 
was manifested as minister of war, and during his term 
of office he so handled fourteen armies at the same time 
as to secure for himself the name of the best war minister 
of modern times. In 1797 he was proscribed by the 


CA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 49 

Directory, but escaped to Germany. Returning in 1799, 
he was called to the “ tribunal,’’ and voted against 
Napoleon’s pretentions. Nevertheless, he tendered his 
services to the latter after the disastrous campaign of 
Russia. He defended Anvers against the allies most ob¬ 
stinately, and only yielded at the command of the Count 
d’ Artois. During the “ hundred days,” he was min¬ 
ister of the interior. Upon the restoration of the Bour¬ 
bons, he was exiled, and passing the rest of his days in 
study, died in 1823. 

CAROLINE AMELIA, (Queen of England)—Born 
in 1768, was daughter of the duke of Brunswick and 
Augusta of England, sister of George III. In 1795 she 
married the Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV., but 
quarreling with him, she returned to Germany in 1814, 
but came back in 1820, when her husband had become 
king. George then had her tried for infidelity; but owing 
to her defense by Lord Brougham, the prosecution was 
dropped. She died in 1821. 

CARR, (Robert)—Earl of Somerset, was born in 1589. 
James I. became quite attached to him in 1610, and made 
him viscount of Rochester. After his marriage to Lady 
Frances Howard, the divorced wife of the earl of Essex, 
he received an earl’s coronet. In 1616 he was accused 
of having poisoned Sir Thomas Overbury, and though 
convicted, he escaped punishment through the influence 
of the king. He was imprisoned a few years, and being 
released, died in privacy, in 1630. 


CARRIER, (John)—A French Jacobin, was born in 


50 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CA. 

1756. In 1793 he was employed as agent of the ruling 
faction at Nantes, and in his bloody decrees did not spare 
even children. He crowded' multitudes of accused into 
boats, and sunk them in the Loire, calling this mode of 
execution the “baptism of the republic.’’ When the in¬ 
famous rule of Robespierre came to an end, Carrier was 
tried, and guillotined at Paris, in 1794. 

CARROLL, (Charles) — Celebrated patriot of the 
American revolution, was born at Annapolis, Maryland, 
in 1737. He pursued the study of law in Paris and 
London, and returned to America in 1764, to manage 
his immense family estates. Espousing with ardor the 
cause of the revolted colonies, he was sent to Congress 
in July, 1776. When signing the Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence, it was remarked to him that as there were 
so many Carrolls in Maryland, he stood in no danger of 
losing his head ; whereupon he took up the pen, and 
wrote “of Carrolton.” In 1788 he was elected United 
States senator. He lived a sincere Catholic, and died 
an edifying death, in 1832. 

CARROLL, (John)—First archbishop of Baltimore, 
and cousin of the preceding, was born in Maryland, in 
1735. At the request of Congress he accompanied Frank¬ 
lin to Canada, in 1776, upon a political mission. Like his 
cousin, he was an ardent patriot. He died in 1815. 

CARTIER, (James) — A French navigator and dis¬ 
coverer of the river St. Lawrence, was born at St. Malo, 
in 1494. Under orders of Francis I., he explored North 
America in 1534, and entering the gulf of St. Lawrence, 
advanced as far as Gaspe Bay, and then returned home 


CA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 51 

The year after he resumed his work, and explored a good 
portion of the river. He died in 1554. 

CASIMIR I., (“Pacific”)—King of Poland, was son 
of Mieceslas II., and under the regency of his mother 
succeeded to the throne in 1037. His subjects having 
rebelled, he went to France, and joining the order of 
Cluny, received the holy diaconate. In 1042, the Poles 
obtained from Pope Benedict IX., permission for Cas- 
imir to leave his monastery and marry, that an end 
might be put to their intestine feuds. He chose as his 
wife a daughter of Jaroslao, grand duke of Russia, and 
reascending the throne, proved himself a wise sovereign. 
He died in 1058. 

CASS, (Lewis)—An American statesman, was born in 
New Hampshire, in 1782. At first a lawyer, he became in 
1812 a colonel under General Hall in his unfortunate 
expedition against Canada. In 1813 he received the 
commission of brigadier, and in 1841 was appointed 
governor of Michigan. In 1831 he entered the cabinet 
of President Jackson as secretary of war, and in 1836 was 
sent as ambassador to France. In 1842 he returned 
home, and 1844 was elected by the Michigan legislature 
to the United States senate. Nominated in 1848 for the 
presidency by the democrats, he was defeated by General 
Taylor, candidate of the whigs. In 1851 he was again 
returned to the senate, and in 1857 was made secretary 
of state by President Buchanan. In December, 1860, 
being dissatisfied with the negative policy of Buchanan, 
he resigned. He died in June, 1866. 


52 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CA. 

CASSANDRA—Daughter of Priam, king of Troy, 
claimed to possess the gift of prophecy, but was believed 
by no one. "Without success she opposed the Grecian 
stratagem of the wooden horse. After the capture of 
Troy she was taken as a prize to Greece, by Agamemnon, 
but there she fell a victim to the jealousy of that prince’s 
wife, Clytemnestra, and was assassinated. 

CASSIANUS, (John)—An ascetic writer of the fourth 
century, was born in France, and when quite young 
entered a monastery in Bethlehem. At Constantinople 
he was received into the diocese by St. Chrysostom, but 
in 415 he went to Marseilles and there founded two con¬ 
vents. He died in 440. As an author he was attacked 
by St. Augustine, who regarded him as a semi-pelagian. 

CASSIODORUS, (Aurelius)—Statesman and author, 
was born in Calabria, in 480, became minister of the 
Gothic king, Theodorus, but finally retired to a monastry 
of Calabria, where .he composed many useful works. 
He died in 575. 

CASSIUS, (Caius Longinus)—A Roman general, and 
one of the murderers of Caesar. At first he served under 
Pompey ; but when the latter was conquered, Cassius was 
spared by Caesar. He married Junia, sister of Brutus, 
and in 44 B. C. joined the latter in the assassination of 
Caesar. Fleeing into Africa, and afterwards into Mace¬ 
donia, he and Brutus were beaten on the plains of Philippi 
by young Octavius Caesar and Antony. In desperation 
he stabbed himself on the field, 42 B. C. 


CASSIVELAUNUS—Commander of the Britons when 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


53 


CA.*] 

Csesar invaded their island, 54 B. C. He fought like a 
hero, but was conquered by the great Roman, and made 
to pay tribute. 

CASTELLANE, (Victor Boniface, count of)—Marshal 
of France, was born at Paris in 1788. Entering the 
army in 1804, he greatly distinguished himself in Napo¬ 
leon’s campaigns, and advanced steadily in rank. Under 
the Bourbons he served in Spain, and was created field- 
marshal in 1824, and in 1833 became lieutenant-general. 
In 1852 Napoleon III. made him marshal of France. 
He died in 1862. 

CASTELLI, (Benedict)—Italian priest and great ma¬ 
thematician, was born at Brescia in 1577, and died in 
Rome 1644. His principal studies were upon hydraulics. 
He was the teacher of the famous Torricelli. 

CASTILLA (Ramon)—Peruvian general and states-' 
man, was born at Taracama, in 1795, fought against the 
Spaniards in the revolution which commenced in 1834, 
and in 1845 became president of Peru. Struggling with 
with Echinique in 1854, he obtained the supremacy, and 
held it until 1867. 

CASTIGLIONE, (John Francis)—Celebrated Italian 
geometrician, was born in Tuscany, in 1709, and in 1751 
professed philosophy in Utrecht. In 1787 he became 
professor of mathematics in Berlin, and acquired a great 
reputation. He died in 1791. 

CASTLEREAGH, (Robert Stewart)—Marquis of Lon¬ 
donderry, was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1769. In 


54 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CA. 

1794 he entered the House of Commons, and was a most 
enthusiastic tory. In 1798 he became secretary to the 
lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and did much for the “ union ** 
of England and Ireland. After many political vicissi¬ 
tudes, Castlereagh became secretary of the foreign office, 
in 1812. He was representative of England at the 
congress of Vienna in 1814, at that of Paris in 1815, and 
at that of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818. From some unknown 
motive, he committed suicide in 1822. 

CASTRO, (John de)—A Portuguese navigator, was born 
at Lisbon in 1500, of a branch of the royal family. In 
1545 he was appointed governor of the Indies, and dis¬ 
tinguished himself in his combats against the natives. 
Different from most of the European adventurers of his 
time, he was a model of integrity, and so poor did he die, 
at Goa, in 1548, that he was buried at the public expense. 

CATHERINE, (Saint)—Suffered martyrdom "about 
312. Her education was so advanced at the age of 
18, that she converted many of the most learned per¬ 
sons of Alexandria. She is honored November 25th. 

CATHERINE, (Saint)—Called “ of Sienna,” from her 
native town in Italy, was born in 1347. At the age of 
20 she joined the Dominican sisters, and during the 
schism originated by the rivalry of Urban VI., and Clem¬ 
ent VII., did much for the cause of Urban. She died 
in 1380, and is honored on the 30th April. 

CATHERINE—Empress of Russia, and second of the 
title of that name, was born at Stettin in 1729, daughter 


QA.J . COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 55 

of the prince of Anhalt-Zerbst. Shortly after her hus¬ 
band (Peter III.) ascended the throne of Russia, she 
conspired against him, and caused his deposition in 1702, 
thus becoming mistress of the empire. Her private char¬ 
acter was disgraceful, but as a sovereign few have equaled 
her in skill. By two successive partitions of Poland, 
(1772 and 1793,) and by a brilliant war against Turkey, 
she greatly increased the power of Russia. She died in 
1796. 

CATHERINE OF ARRAGON—Queen of England, 
daughter of Ferdinand V., of Arragon, and Isabella of 
Castille, married, in 1501, Arthur, eldest son of Henry 
VII., of England. Her husband having died, Pope Julius 
II. gave her a dispensation to marry her brother-in-law, 
Henry VIII., and by this prince she had a daughter, after¬ 
wards Queen Mary. Eighteen years of happy union had 
passed when Henry demanded a divorce, on the ground of 
Catherine having been his brother’s wife. His real reason 
was his love of Anne Boleyn. The pope refused his con¬ 
sent, but Henry persisted, and confined Catherine in the 
castle of Kimbolton, where she died in 1536. 

CATHERINE HOWARD—Queen of England, was 
daughter of Edmund, Lord Howard, son of the duke of 
Norfolk. She married Henry VIII., 1540, but was be¬ 
headed in 1542, on a charge of infidelity. 

CATHERINE PARR—Queen of England, sixth and 
last wife of Henry VIII, was relict of Lord Latimer, when 
in 1543 she married Henry. When the king died, 
she married, in 1548, Lord Seymour, high admiral of 
England, but died the same year. 


56 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. • [CA, 

CATILINE, (Lucius Sergius)—Born of a distinguished 
Roman family about 106 B. C., was early a victim of de¬ 
bauchery, though always preserving his intellect. In 63 
B C., he formed a conspiracy to burn Rome, being en¬ 
raged at not having been elected consul. He was dis¬ 
covered by his rival Cicero, and attacked by the latter in 
his most brilliant style in full session of the senate. 
Fleeing from Rome, he attempted a civil war, but was 
defeated and killed at Pistoia, in 62 B.C. 

CATO, (The Elder)—Suruamed the Censorious, was an 
eminent Roman statesman, born at Tusculum, 234 B. C. 
During the second Punic war he served with success 
under Fabius Maximus, and afterwards conquered the 
island of Sardinia. In 195 he obtained the honor of a 
“ triumph ” on account of his valor in Spain and Greece. 
Eight years afterwards, he became “ censor,” and did 
much to reform the morals of Rome. In the last years of 
hrs life, he so feared the rivalry of Carthage, that most 
of his discourses terminate with the phrase, “ Carthage 
must be destroyed.” He died 149 B. C. As a writer he 
was quite famous, but as a man he was a voluptuary, and 
avaricious in the extreme. 

CATO, (The Younger)—Celebrated Roman philosopher 
and patriot, great-grandson of the preceding, was born in 
95 B. C. Under the influence of Antipater, he became a 
Stoic. In the war against Spartacus, 72 B. C., he dis¬ 
tinguished himself, but soon retired to civil life. He 
seconded Cicero in his efforts against Catiline in 63 B. C. 
He opposed the coalition of Csesar, Pompey and Crassus, 
md, in 54 B. C., was made pretor. In 49. B. C., he joined 


COMPENDIUM OE BIOGRAPHY. 


57 


CA.] 

Pompey against Caesar, and commanded the army of 
Africa after Pompey’s death. When Scipio, to whom he 
had resigned the command, was defeated, in 46 B. C., Cato 
committed suicide. 

CATULLUS, (Valerius)—Latin poet, was born 86 
B. C., at Verona. His poems are quite epigrammatic, but 
rather indecent. He died 56 B. C. 

CAULINCOUBT, (Armand)—Duke of Vicenza, was 
born in Picardy in 1773. He took part in most of the 
wars of the revolution, and attracting the notice of Napo¬ 
leon, became a general of division, and in 1805 received 
the title of duke of Vicenza. In 1807 he was made am¬ 
bassador to Kussia. In 1811 he took a great part in the 
campaign of Moscow, and when afterwards charged with 
important commissions to the allied sovereigns, always 
defended the cause of the Bonapartes. He di§d in 
1827. 

CAVAIGNAC, (Louis Eugene)—French general and 
statesman, was born at Paris in 1802, and graduated from 
the Polytechnic in 1820 as lieutenant of engineers. After 
many successes in the Morea and in Africa, he became 
a colonel of Zouaves in 1841. The revolution of 1848 
found him governor of Oran, in Algeria, and he was made 
governor-general of the colony and general of division. 
In April of the same year he received the command of 
the national guard of Paris, and maintained order against 
the mob by ball and cannister. On the 24th of June 
the assembly created him dictator, but he resigned, and 
on the 28th was elected president. In the election of 


58 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. CE.] 

November lie was defeated by Prince Louis Napoleon 
Bonaparte by a majority of nearly 5,000,000 votes, and 
soon alter retired into private life. He died in 1857. 

CAVENDISH (William)—Duke of Newcastle, was 
corn in 1592. During the English revolution he sacri¬ 
ficed all his wealth to the royal cause. After the Stuarts’ 
defeat in 1644, at Marston Moor, he left England, but at 
the restoration of Charles II. he returned and was made 
chief-justice of the northern counties. He died in 1676. 

CAVOUR, (Camillo)—Count, was born at Turin in 
1810, and passed his youth in foreign travel. In 1847 
he founded a liberal journal devoted to the unification 
of Italy. In 1849 he entered the Sardinian chamber of 
deputies, and soon became the leader of a new party 
composed of moderate republicans and liberal conserva¬ 
tives. Being made prime minister in 1852, he made an 
alliance with France and England in 1854 against Russia, 
and sent General de la Marmora with 80,000 men to the 
Crimea. Aided by Napoleon III., he made against 
Austria, in 1859, a war which resulted in the liberation 
of Lombardy and Venice, and, together with Tuscany, 
Modena, and Parma, their annexation to the Sardinian 
kingdom. Being more conservative than Garibaldi, he 
scarcely ever could agree with him ; but in the attainment 
of his ends he was scarcely less scrupulous. He died 
June 6, 1861 

CECIL, (William)—Lord Burleigh, was born in Lin¬ 
colnshire in 1520. He graduated at Cambridge about 
1540, and in 1548 he was created secretary of State by 


CE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 59 

the lord-protector, Somerset. When Mary ascended the 
throne, in 1553, he retired from office ; but when Elizabeth 
became queen, in 1558, he was made prime minister. He 
died 1598. Macauley says of him that he was always a 
good “ Protestant ” when it was not for his advantage to 
appear a Catholic. 

CECILIA, (Saint)—A Roman lady who suffered mar¬ 
tyrdom in the third century. She is regarded as the 
patroness of musicians, and is venerated November 22. 

CELESTINE V., (Pope and Saint)—Was born in the 
Puglia, Italy, in 1240. He became a Benedictine monk, 
and in 1290 founded the order of “ Celestines.” In 1294 
he was elected pope ; but feeling the responsibility of his 
office very keenly, and deeming himself incapable of dis¬ 
charging its duties, he abdicated five months after his 
election. He died in 1296, and his feast is celebrated the 
19th of May. 

CELSUS—Great epicurean philosopher, was born in 
the second century. He attacked Christianity by force of 
ridicule, and was signally refuted by Origen. 

* 

CERVANTES, (Michael)—Celebrated Spanish author, 
was born at Alcala in 1547. Entering the army about 
1569, he greatly distinguished himself, and at the battle 
of Lepanto, received a wound which deformed him for 
life. Returning to Spain in 1575, he was captured by 
Algerine pirates, and after five years of slavery, was 
redeemed by the “ Fathers of the Trinity,” and spent the 
remainder of his life at Madrid, supporting himself by 
his pen. He died in abject poverty, in 1616. The whole 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


60 


[CH. 


world admires liim as tlie author of “ Don Quixote ,’’ but 
his many other works are not as well known. 


CHAMBERS, (Ephraim) — Author of Chambers’ 
Cyclopedia, was born at Kendal, England, about 1700. 
About 1729 he published the first two volumes of his 
Work, and was made a member of the “ Royal Society.” 
He died in 1740, having lived to finish his book—one 
of the best of its kind. 


CHAMPLAIN, (Samuel)—Founder of Quebec, was 
born in 1570, at Brouages, in France. He made his first 
voyage to Canada in 1603, and repeating it in 1608, 
planted a colony on the site of the present Quebec. In 
1610, he discovered the lake which now bears his name. 
In 1620 he was made governor of Canada, and in 1635 
died at Quebec. He was an honorable and brave man, 
and possessed good administrative ability. 

CHANNING-, (William)—A distinguished Unitarian 
minister, was born at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1780. 
He graduated at Harvard in 1798, and became a tutor in 
Richmond, Virginia, soon after. In 1803 he took charge 
of a congregation in Boston. His life was of rather a 
varied nature—being that of minister, agitator, and 
politician. He was always a firm abolitionist, and did 
good service to his party by his sincere, yet unimpas- 
gioned language. He died in 1842. 

CHANTAL, (Frances Fremiot) —A Baroness and 
saint, was born at Dijon, France, in 1572. Her husband, 
whom she tenderly loved, having been killed while 


CH.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 61 

hunting, she devoted the rest of her life to the establish¬ 
ment of the Order of the Visitation, founded by St. Fran¬ 
cis de Sales. She died in 1610, and by Clement XI. was 
canonized in 1767. Her feast is celebrated on the 21st 
of August. 

CHARETTE, (Francis de la Contrie)—A brave French 
general and determined Bourbonist, was born at Couffe, 
in Brittany, in 1763. When the people of Vendde arose 
in arms for the royal cause in 1793, he became their 
leader, and achieved many successes against the repub¬ 
licans. He was finally taken prisoner, and shot by Gen¬ 
eral Hoche, in 1796. 

CHARLEMAGNE, (king of France and emperor of 
the West)—Was born at Saltzburg in 742, and crown¬ 
ed king of France in 768. He conquered the Saxons 
in 804, after twenty years’ struggle. In 774 he made 
himself master of Lombardy, and passing into Spain in 
778, he achieved many victories over the Saracens. Pope 
Leo III. crowned him emperor in 800, and he died in 
814. He was a brave soldier, and greatly favored the 
cause of education. 

CHARLES V.—Emperor of Germany, king of Spain 
and the Two Sicilies, was born at Ghent in 1500, of 
Philip, archduke of Austria, and Jane of Castille. He 
became king of Spain in 1516, and in 1519 was elected 
emperor of Germany. In the struggle for the imperial 
crown, he was obliged to fight with Francis I., of France, 
who, after many changes of fortune, was taken prisoner 
at Pavia, in 1525. Conducted to Madrid, Francis signed 
a treaty of peace ; but on his release a new war broke out, 


62 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CH. 

which resulted in the capture of Eome by the Constable 
de Bourbon in 1527. Charles recommenced the war in 
1536, but at Marseilles was obliged to make a truce of 
ten years. In 1539, the chivalrous disposition of Francis 
allowed him to take the way of Paris on his march against 
the rebellious people of Ghent, but so ungrateful was he, 
that in the same year he made war upon France, and was 
ignominiously defeated at Cerisoles in 1514. He opposed 
the “ reformers” of his time as a matter of policy. In 
1552 he attempted the capture of Metz, but was defeated 
by the duke of Guise. Enfeebled by cares of State, he 
abdicated in favor of his brother Ferdinand, in 1556, and 
retired to the monastery of St. Just, in Spain, where he 
died in 1558. 

CIIABLES I.—King of England, ascended the throne 
in 1625. He undertook many expeditions against France 
and Spain, but was always unsuccessful. Dissolving the 
parliaments, one after the other, he tried to rule as an 
absolute monarch, and at last, in 1640, came to an open 
rupture with the representatives of the nation. Appeal¬ 
ing to arms, he was finally defeated at Naseby, in 1645, 
Throwing himself into the arms of the Scottish leaders, 
he was by them delivered into the hands of the parlia¬ 
mentarians, and beheaded in 1649. 

CHARLES II. — King of England and son of the 
preceding, was born in 1630. At Scone, in 1651, he was 
crowned, but being defeated by Cromwell, at Worcester, 
he retired to the continent. In 1660, the devotion of 
General Monk placed him upon the throne. Imitating 
the example of his father, he tried the system of absolut¬ 
ism, but failed. He died in 1685. 


CH.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 63 

CHARLES X.—King of France, was born at Ver¬ 
sailles in 1757, and was the youngest brother of Louis 
XVI. In 1773 he married Maria Teresa of Savoy, by 
whom he had two sons, the Duke d’ Angouleme and the 
Duke de Berry. A determined opponent of the revolution, 
he succeeded in obtaining an army in England in 1795, 
intending to co-operate with Charette in Vendee, but 
failed. Upon the death of Louis XVIII., he ascended the 
throne amid general rejoicing, but soon became unpo¬ 
pular on account of his arbitrary tendencies. After 
many conflicts with parliament, he finally ,made his 
favorite, Polignac, prime minister in 1829. Following the 
advice of this prince in 1830, he issued decrees on July 
25, which infringed upon the constitution, and caused 
a bloody fight of three days in the streets of Paris, 
between the people and the troops under Marmont. The 
revolution was triumphant, and Charles fled to England, 
and retiring afterwards to Goritz, Austria, died in 1836. 

CHARLES XII.—King of Sweden, was born in 1682, 
and ascending the throne in 1697, soon developed great 
military genius. Taking advantage of his youth, Peter I. 
of Russia, Frederick IV. of Denmark, and Augustus of 
Poland, formed an alliance against him, but he was a 
match for them all. He immediately besieged Copen¬ 
hagen and forced the Danes to sue for peace (1700). 
Turning at once upon Peter, he annihilated him at Narva 
with a force one-fourth of the Czar’s. He then entered 
Poland and deposed the king, who retired to Saxony, of 
which he was elector. Charles followed him and forced 
him to resign the Polish crown in favor of Lezinski. In 
1707, he marched against Moscow, but soon changed his 


64 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[CH. 

course to the Ukraine. He was finally wounded and 
defeated, at Pultowa, by a force double bis own, (1709). 
Retreating into Turkey, be was protected by tbe Sultan 
until 1713, when be was expelled, and returned to Sweden. 
He invaded Norway in 1718, and was killed at tbe siege 
of Frederickshall. 

CHARLES ALBERT.—King of Sardinia, was son of 
Charles Emmanuel of Savoy-Carignano, and born in 1798. 
In April, 1831, he ascended the throne, and making him¬ 
self champion of Italian unity in 1848, declared war on 
Austria. He gained many victories, but was finally 
defeated at Novara, in March, 1849. 

CHARLES MARTEL.—King of the Franks, was born 
in 694, and was son of Pepin, “ mayor of the palace.” In 
715, he became “mayor” under Chilperic II., and was in 
reality king. He conquered the Saracens (732) at Poi¬ 
tiers, and drove them definitely from France. He died 
in 741. 

CHASE, (Salmon P.)—An American statesman born 
at Cornish, New Hampshire, 1808, elected United States 
senator, 1849, and chief justice, 1864, presided over the 
court of impeachment for the trial of President Johnson, 
1868, and died in 1872. 

CHATEAUBRIAND (Francis Rend de)—Was born at 
St. Malo, in 1768. During his life he was soldier, author 
and statesman. As a soldier his career was short, being 
confined to the royalist campaign of 1792, in which he was 
wounded at Thionville. As a statesman he did not rank 
very high ; yet, in 1820, he was ambassador to Berlin, 


















CARDINAL CHEVERUS 








CH.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 67 

and in 1822 to London. In 1823 he became minister of 
foreign affairs, but was dismissed in 1824. He was sent 
in 1828 as ambassador to Rome, but resigned when 
Polignac became prime minister, in 1829. His great name 
is due to his labors as an author. When his mother died, 
in 1798, he became an ardent Christian, and commenced 
to write his “ Genius of Christianity,” which was published 
in 1802. It is perfect in its way, and an example of 
poetry in prose. As an episode to this work lie wrote a 
romance—“Rene.’’ In 1809 appeared his prose epic, 
“ The Martyrs ; or, the Triumph of the Christian Reli¬ 
gion.” His political pamphlets are very numerous and 
are all legitimist in tendency. Chateaubriand traveled 
through the United States, (1791-92) ; and through 
Spain, Greece, and Palestine, (1806-’07). In Philadel¬ 
phia he formed the acquaintance of Washington, whom 
he declares to have shown virtue in his very look, and by 
it to have refreshed him through his entire life. His 
political creed he himself epitomized when he said, “ By 
character I am a republican, through reason a monarch¬ 
ist, and in honor a Bourbonist.” In 1792 he married 
Mile, de Lavigne, but the union proved unhappy. He 
died July 4, 1848. 

CHAUCER, (Geoffrey)—“Father of English poetry,” 
was born in London, 1328, and was probably a graduate 
of Cambridge. His principal work, and the only one for 
which he is noted, is the “ Canterbury Tales.” He died 
in 1400. 

CHEYERUS, (John Louis)—First bishop of Boston, 
was born at Mayenne, France, in 1768. He labored most, 
zealously as a missionary from 1795 till 1808, especially 


68 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CH. 

among the Indians. While bishop of Boston, he was a 
real model of charity and apostolic zeal. Returning to 
France, he became archbishop of Bordeaux in 1826, and 
a cardinal in 1836. He died in the latter year. 

CHOISEUL, (Stephen Francis, duke of)—Was born 
in 1719. In 1758 he became foreign secretary, and soon 
after prime minister. An enemy of the Jesuits, he suc¬ 
ceeded in expelling them from France by a succession 
of intrigues, in 1762. As he had been raised to power 
by the infamous Mad. de Pompadour, so his fall was 
compassed by the notorious Mad. de Barry, in 1770. He 
died in 1785. 

CHRISTINA—Queen of Sweden, was born in 1626. 
She assumed the government in 1644, but became a 
Catholic in 1654, and abdicating, retired to Rome, where 
she died in 1689. She was a woman of fine education 
and of a masculine mind. 

CHRYSOSTOM, (John)—Saint, and doctor of the 
Church, was born at Antioch, about 350. In 397 he was 
made archbishop of Constantinople, where, on account of 
his zeal in founding hospitals and reforming morals, &c., 
he greatly attached himself to the people. His denuncia¬ 
tion of the immorality of the court'drew upon him the 
animosity of the Empress Eudoxia, and by a synod held 
at Chalcedon, in 403, he was deposed and exiled to Nicea 
and to Cucusus. He died of ill treatment, at Comana, in 
407. As an orator, St. Chrysostom had no equal in his 
time. His name means “golden tongued.*’ His com¬ 
mentaries and homilies are among the best possessed by 
the Church. His feast is celebrated January 28. 


Cl.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 69 

CICERO, (Marcus Tullius)—Great Roman orator and 
statesman, was born at Arpinum, 10S B. C. About 91 
B. C. he commenced the study of law under Mutius 
Scsevola, but two years afterwards entered the army, 
serving, however, only one campaign. Having spent the 
intervening years in close study, he commenced to plead 
in the forum about 81 B. C. and soon acquired a great 
reputation, despite his delicate health. In 76 B. C. he 
was chosen quaestor, and in that capacity served in Sicily 
for two years. He became aedile in 70 B. C., and praetor 
in 66 B. C. * Together with Antonius he was chosen 
consul in 63 B. C. and did much to reduce the then dis¬ 
tracted republic to harmony. During his administration 
Catiline endeavored to subvert the republic, but was 
baffled by the vigilance and energy of Cicero. He caused 
several of the conspirators to be executed without trial, 
which fact caused his exile by Clodius, the tribune, 59 
B. C. Recalled to Rome two years after by a unanimous 
vote, he for some time employed himself in the composi¬ 
tion of political and legal works, but in 52 B. C. he was 
made governor of Cilicia, and the neighboring provinces. 
After a year’s wise administration, he returned to Rome, 
and soon joined the army of Pompey against Csesar. 
"When Csesar triumphed, the great orator submitted, and 
retired again to his studies. After Octavius, Antony, and 
Lepidus had made their coalition he was proscribed, and 
in 43 B. C. he was assassinated by the minions of Antony. 
As an orator, Cicero has been equaled by few; as a 

c The office of quaestor was similar to that of paymaster; that of 
sedile to the post of inspector of public buildings; that of praetor to 
the position of an associate justice of the supreme court. Each 
praetor had his own district assigned him by lot. 


70 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ci* 

statesman his views were broad and liberal; as a philoso¬ 
pher he developed about as much truth as Paganism 
could supply. 

CINCINNATUS, (Lucius)—Roman dictator, was born 
520 B. C. He was a farmer when he was made con¬ 
sul, in 457 B. C. At the end of his term of office, he 
returned to his farm, but was chosen dictator the follow¬ 
ing year that he might combat the Aequi. He conquered 
and again resigned, but was made dictator upon the 
occasion of the treason of Spurius Melius, in 440 B. C., 
He defeated the rebels, and died soon afterwards. 

CLAY, (Henry)—An American statesman, was born in 
Virginia, in 1777. He was admitted to the bar in 1797, 
and in 1803 was elected to the Kentucky legislature, and 
in 1806 he was sent to the senate of the United States. 
He was one of the commissioners who negotiated the 
treaty of Ghent with England, in 1814. In 1825, President 
Adams appointed Clay secretary of State. In 1828 he 
vainly strove for the presidency, and was thrice again 
defeated in this, his great object of ambition. He re¬ 
entered the senate in 1846, and remained till 1851. His 
disposition was conciliating, and he twice, (1820 and 1850,) 
used with success hi3 influence to prevent a rupture be¬ 
tween the free and the slave States. As an orator he was 
not wanting in taste and method, but force was his 
characteristic. He died in 1852. 

CLEOPATRA—Queen of Egypt, celebrated for her 
beauty, was the daughter of Ptolemy Aulefes, and wife 
of his brother, Ptolemy Bacchus. She commenced to 


CO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 71 

reign about 52 B. C. Being deprived of her power, she 
made use of her charms to seduce Caesar, and by him was 
reinstated. When Caesar died, Antony caused her arrest, 
but he too yielded to her fascinating influence, and not 
only released her, but conferred upon her many important 
provinces. In her society the dashing soldier became a 
mere voluptuary, and was only aroused from his lethargy 
by the approach of Octavius, who had declared war upon 
him. When Antony was defeated at the battle of Actium, 
he committed suicide, and Cleopatra then tried her arts 
upon the victor. Octavius remained firm, and the enraged 
queen, fearing she might grace his triumph in Home, 
stung herself to death with an asp, 30 B. C. She was but 
39 years old. 

COLMAN, (Saint)—First bishop of Dromore, in the 
province of Ulster, was born in 516, and died in 610. He 
was descended from the sept of the Arads, was the first 
abbot of Muckmore, and was a man of extraordinary 
sanctity. He was also called Mocholmoc. His feast is 
kept on the 7th of June. 

COLMAN, (Saint)—A martyr, the patron Saint of 
Austria, was an Irishman of blood royal, and lived in the 
eleventh century. Going.on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem 
while Austria, Moravia, and Bohemia were at war, he was 
arrested at Stockheran, a town six miles from Vienna, and 
hanged on a gibbet as a spy, the 13th of October, 1012. 

COLMAN, (Saint)—Patron of the diocese of Cloyne, 
was the son of Lenin, first bishop of Cloyne, and disciple 
of St. Finbar, in the year 600. There were two hundred 
SS. Colmans in Irish records ; also, forty-eight SS. Mo- 


72 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. | CO. 

chuanis, forty-three SS. Laisreans, thirty-seven SS. Mo- 
lanos, thirty-four SS. Mochumiss, twenty-four SS. Colum- 
bans, and twenty-three SS. Columbacs. There were 
sixty-two classes of saints bearing the same name. The 
Martyrology of Donegal contains the names of over two 
thousand Irish saints. 

COLUMBANUS, (Saint)—The Apostle of Gaul, was 
born in the province of Leinster, Ireland, about the year 
566. In his youth he was educated by Silevius and after¬ 
wards entered the monastery of Bangor. When he was 
about thirty years old, he passed with twelve of his com¬ 
panions into France and settled in the wild country of the 
Vosges at Anagrai. Eight miles from Anagrai he built 
the renowned monastery of Luxeuil; and three miles 
from Luxeuil he founded the equally celebrated house of 4 
Fontaines. Being exiled at the entreaties of queen 
Brunehault by Theodoric, king of Austrasia, he went to 
Neustria, in the dominions of Clotaire. He next passed 
to the territory of King Theodebert, and, settling at Zug, 
converted its idolatrous inhabitants. Thence having 
journeyed to Bregentz and labored there three years, he 
crossed into Italy, and founded the monastery of Bobbio, 
in 613. He built an oratory and a grotto on a neighbor¬ 
ing mountain in honor of the Blessed Virgin. He died at 
Bobbio on the 21st of November, 615. Of the works of 
St. Columbanus there are extant the “ Rules for Monks,” 
the “Book of Penances,’’a discourse on the “Unity of 
God and the Trinity of Persons,” “ Moral Instructions,” 
five “ Letters,” and his “ Monasticon.” The writings of 
St. Columbanus manifest a very independent spirit. In 
doctrinal statements he is exact, in historical knowledge 


CO.J 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


73 


profound, in exhortations vehement, poetic, and pathetic. 
He is one of the best representatives of the Irish race. 

COLUMBKILL, (Saint)—The Apostle of Caledonia, of 
the royal family of the O’Neills, was born at Gartan, 
county Donegal, the 7th of December, 521, and died at 
his church in Iona, June 9, 597. After a checkered life 
in Ireland, he crossed to Caledonia, and converted the 
Scots and the inhabitants of North Britain. He founded 
many monasteries, the principal of which were those of 
Derry and Iona. Columbkill was at once a soldier and a 
monk, a poet and a patriot, a hero and a saint. Montal- 
embert has written his life. 

COLUMBUS, (Christopher)—Was born at Genoa in 
1441, and soon developed great talents in navigation, 
astronomy, &c. Thinking there must be a continent west 
of Europe,. he applied in vain for assistance to the 
Genoese and the Portuguese, that he might undertake 
the exploration. At length, under the auspices of Fer¬ 
dinand and Isabella of Spain, he set sail from Palos, the 3d 
August, 1492, and on October 8th, landed at San Salva¬ 
dor. After the discovery of Cuba and St. Domingo, he 
returned to Spain, and was made viceroy of the new 
dominions. - He then undertook two more voyages, during 
which he pushed up the Orinoco as far as the present 
site of Caracas. Becoming the victim of envy, he was 
sent by Bobadilla back to Spain as a prisoner, but soon 
was set free. He then made a fourth voyage, and reached 
the gulf of Darien, in 1502. He died of neglect and 
chagrin, in 1506. 


4 


74 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [CO. 

CONDfi, (Louis II., prince of, called the Great)—Was 
“ first prince of the blood,” and born at Paris, in 1621. 
At the age of 22 he was made commander-in-chief of 
the French armies, and at Rocroy annihilated the 
Spaniards with a comparatively small force. After a 
succession of victories over the Germans, notably at 
Friburg and Nordlingen, he gained the decisive battle 
of Lens in 1648. During the civil war of the Fronde 
ae was beaten by Turenne. In 1668 he conquered 
Franche-Comtd, and in 1672 distinguished himself in the 
war against Holland. In 1674 he conquered the princo 
of Orange, at Senef. He died in 1686. 

CONFUCIUS — Chinese philosopher, was bora 551 
B. C., in the province of Lou. At the age of 24 he re¬ 
signed many lucrative positions, and gave himself up to 
meditation and to the reformation of Chinese customs. 
He soon acquired a great reputation, and the king of 
Lou made him his prime minister. His administration 
was enlightened and just, but the king soon grew tired 
of his wisdom, and he was forced to retire from the court. 
He then went into private life, and busied himself with 
those works which have immortalized his name. He died 
479 B. C. His philosophy was practical; above all ho 
tried to reintroduce into China the customs and laws of 
the ancients. 

CONSALYI, (Hercules)—One of the first statesmen 
of his age, was born at Borne in 1757, was minister of 
war under Pius VI., and cardinal secretary of State under 
Pius VII. He was greatly feared by Napoleon, who 
detained him many years in France. He represented 


CR.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 75 

the Holy See at the congress of Vienna in 1815. His 
death occurred in 1824. 

CONSTANTINE I.—Called the Great, emperor of 
Rome, was born in 274, and at the death of his father, 
Constantius Chlorus, in Britain, was proclaimed emperor 
by the army in 306. He marched on Rome, and under 
its walls defeated Maxentius, who perished in the Tiber. 
He became a Christian in 312, and caused all persecution 
to cease. From 315 to 323 he struggled with Licinius, 
emperor of the East, and finally conquered, thus becom¬ 
ing sole master of the empire. In 330 he transferred the 
capital to Byzantium, now Constantinople. In his latter 
years he favored Arius and persecuted St. Athanasius, 
although he had himself assisted at the condemnation 
of the former at the council of Nice in 325. However, 
he finally recognized the innocence of Athanasius. He 
died in 337. Tradition relates that when he was about 
to march against Maxentius, he saw in the air a cross 
on which were the words “ In this sign thou shalt con¬ 
quer,” and that under the name of labarum , he adopted 
the cross for his standard. 

COOPER, (James Fenimore)—An American novelist, 
was born at Burlington, New Jersey, 1789, entered Yale 
1802, became a midshipman in the navy 1806, and married 
the sister of Bishop Delancey, 1811. He was the author 
of “ Precaution,” “ The Spy,” “ The Pioneers,” “ The 
Pilot,” “ The Last of the Mohicans,” “ The Prairie,” “ The 
Red Rover,” “ The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish,” “ The Moni- 
kins,” “ Homeward Bound,” “Home as Found,” “History 
of the Navy of the United States,” “ The Pathfinder,” “ The 


76 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[co. 


Leerslayer,” " Wing and Wing,” “ Wyandotte,” “ Afloat 
and Ashore,” “ The Chainbearer,” “ Oak Openings,” and 
“ The Ways of the Hour.” Americans feel an honest 
pride in his writings, which are truthful and patriotic 
pictures of American life, scenery, character, and great¬ 
ness. He died in 1851. 

COPERNICUS, or KOPERNIK—Was born at Thorn, 
in Prussia, 1173. Having studied Greek and Latin at 
home, he pursued his studies at Cracow and Rome. Co¬ 
pernicus was struck with the dissonance and complica¬ 
tions of astronomical systems, and elaborating the Pytha¬ 
gorean theory which places the centre of the planets, he 
propounded the system which bears his name, in a work 
called “ De Orbium Celestium Revolutionibus.” He died 
on the day he received the first copy of his book, the 24th 
of May, 1543. 

CORNEILLE, (Pierre)—Called the Grand, born at 
Rouen, 1606, was the founder of the French drama. As 
a writer, he was solemn, dignified, and profound. His 
masterpieces are “ Cid,” “ Cinna,” “ Polyeuete,” “ Medea,” 
and “ Les Horaces.” He died 1647. 

CORREGGIO, da, (Antonio Allegri)—An Italian painter, 
and founder of a new school, was born at Correggio, 
1494, and died 1534. His great organ of expression was 
chiaro oscui'o, and he is remarkable for harmony, delicacy, 
and tenderness. 

CORTEZ, (Ferdinand)—Was born at Medellin, in Spain, 
in 1485. In 1518, Velasquez, governor of Cuba, gave 
him a fleet lor the discovery of new lands, and with it 
he reached Tobasco, in Mexico. After a short and bril- 


°A.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 77 

liant campaign, he conquered the country, but sullied his 
victory by his atrocities. Recalled to Spain by the voice 
of envy, he died in poverty, in 1547. - 

CROMWELL, (Oliver )—Protector of England, was born 
in 1599. During the revolt of the parliaments against 
the Stuarts, he so availed himself of his hypocrisy, politi¬ 
cal ability, courage, and* activity, as to arise, little by 
little, to the government of the “ Common wealth.’’ It 
was principally through his influence that Charles I. 
was put to death. His reign was one of commercial 
prosperity to England, but of great misery to Ireland. 
He died in 1658. 

D. 

DANTE—Most celebrated of Italian poets, was born 
at Florence, in 1265. From his childhood he cultivated 
all the then known sciences with success, but in early 
youth he got embroiled in the wars of the Guelphs and 
Ghibelines, and in many combats distinguished himself 
for bravery and skill. He was an ardent Guelph, and 
when his party split into the “white” and “black,” he took 
part with the former faction, and on the triumph of the 
latter was exiled. Struggling constantly with poverty, 
he wandered from place to place, and finally died at 
Ravenna, in 1321. His best poem is the “Divina Com¬ 
edia,’’ and is the first in which the Latin was dropped 
for the Italian tongue. His lyrics are very beautiful. 
He wrote many philosophical works, the principal one 
of which, “Universal Monarchy,” was written in the in¬ 
terest of the German emperor, and was condemned at 
Rome for its tendencies to absolutism. 


78 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [DE. 

DARBOY — Archbishop of Paris, martyred by the 
Communists after the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. 

DARNLEY, (Henry Stuart)—Lord, was married in 
1565, at the age of 20, to his cousin Mary, queen of 
Scots, who was passionately devoted to him. He soon 
became very jealous of the queen, and even had put to 
death in her own boudoir the favorite musician, David 
Rizzio, in 1566. He perished on the night of February 
9, 1567, his palace being blown up by assassins. Queen 
Mary herself has been accused of instigating the deed, 
but it is more likely that Bothwell took this means to 
obtain her hand. 

DAVY, (Sir Humphrey) — An Englisii chemist, was 
born in Cornwall, 1778. After having taught successfully 
some time in London, he became in 1803 a member, and 
in 1820 president of the Royal Society. He is the in¬ 
ventor of the “ laughing-gas,’’ and discovered many im¬ 
portant substances, such as potassium , magnesium , &c. 
He died at Geneva in 1829. 

DEMOSTHENES—Celebrated Greek orator, was born 
at Athens, 381 B. C. His studies were made principally 
under Plato. By great perseverance he conquered his 
imperfection of style and the weakness of his voice, and 
soon rose to fame. After some years spent as a pleader, 
he was charged with important public business by the 
government, and employed all his eloquence against Philip 
of Macedon, in his famous orations known as “Philip¬ 
pics,” succeeding at length in forming against that prince 
an alliance with Thebes. He failed at Choeronea, in 338 
B. C., but again endeavored to renew the war. At the 


DE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 79 

death of Philip, the orators of Athens were delivered to 
Alexander, but the young conqueror restored Demos¬ 
thenes to liberty. A few years later, having incited the 
Athenians to war against Antipator, governor of Mace¬ 
donia, his defeated countrymen were about to yield him 
up to the conqueror, when he fled to the ilse of Calauris, 
and there poisoned himself, 322 B. C. Demosthenes used 
to labor so much, and with such care, at his compositions, 
that the envious were wont to say they smelled of oil. 

DESCARTES, (Rene)—Celebrated French philoso¬ 
pher, was born in Tourraine, in 1596. His first studies 
were made under the Jesuits, at La Flache. In 1617 he 
entered the army of Maurice of Nassau, and in 1690 and 
’20, he served under the duke of Bavaria, but he soon 
retired to devote his life to study. He died in 1650. 
Descartes distrusted the solidity of the ancient systems, 
and hence undertook an entire reconstruction of the 
philosophical edifice. As a metaphysician, he started with 
the enthymeme, “ I think, therefore I am,” and using this 
truth to prove the existence of God, he did so from the 
very fact of our having an idea of Him. He placed the 
seat of the soul in the pineal gland, and reduced brutes 
to mere machines. As a mathematician, he improved 
algebraic notation by his system of “ exponents.” In 
physics he discovered the law of refraction, and proposed 
the best theory of his time on the rainbow. In astronomy 
and cosmology he imagined the sun and fixed stars to be 
the centre of so many masses of subtle matter, which 
caused the planets to revolve around them, adding, 
also, that those masses revolved themselves around the 
earth. 


80 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [dI. 

DICKENS, (Charles)—An English novelist, born at 
Landport, Portsmouth, in February, 1812, was in early 
youth designed for the law, but finding legal studies un¬ 
congenial to his nature, he became a reporter on the 
London daily press. He acquired considerable knowledge 
of public men while taking parliamentary reports for his 
employers. Having acquired facility in writing, being 
endowed with great natural genius, keen penetration, 
accurate judgment, glowing imagination, and having 
acquired a wide range of knowledge of men and things, 
he entered upon a literary career with the publication 
of “Sketches by Boz,” 1836. Since then he issued the 
“ Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club/’ in 1837, 
“Oliver Twist,” in 1838, “The Life and Adventures of 
Nicholas Nickleby,” in 1839, “ Master Humphrey’s Clock,” 
in 1840-41, “ Barnaby Budge,” 1841, “ American Notes 
for General Circulation,” 1842, “ Life and Adventures of 
Martin Chuzzlewit,” 1843-44, “ Dombey and Son,” 1847- 
48, “ The Personal History of David Copperfield,” 1850, 
“ Bleak House,” 1852, “ Hard Times,” 1854, “ Little 
Dorrit,” 1857, “A Tale of Two Cities,” 1860, “Great 
Expectations,” 1862, and “ Our Mutual Friend,’’ 1864-65. 
He died of apoplexy in 1870, and left “ The Mystery of 
Edwin Drood ” incomplete. The great success and ex¬ 
tensive popularity of the writings of Charles Dickens, are 
attributable to his selection of characters, and the magical 
light he has thrown about every-day occurrences, and 
commonplace persons and things. There is nothing 
abstruse, hidden, or metaphysical in his productions. 
Writing on matters which come under common observa¬ 
tion, and being eminently practical, he is able to inter¬ 
penetrate his subject with a vein of fun, or drollery, or 


DO-] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 81 

seriousness, or ridicule, or comedy, or tragedy, or sub¬ 
limity. As a novelist, Charles Dickens is a weird conjuror. 
There is an instantaneous truthfulness in his representa¬ 
tion of characters ; but he is deficient in moral sense, and 
in stern assertion of principle. His best work is “ The 
Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club;” and one of 
the most scandalous, scurrilous, and untruthful things 
which he ever wrote, is'“American Notes for General 
Circulation.” 

DIOCLETIAN, (Caius Valerius)—Roman emperor, 
born in Dalmatia in 245, was at first a private soldier, but 
advanced so rapidly that on the death of Numerian, in 
284, he was able to proclaim himself emperor. He re¬ 
conquered Mesopotamia from the Persians, and subdued 
the Germans. In 303 he commenced a ferocious perse¬ 
cution of the Christians, which lasted ten years. He 
abdicated in 305, and died in 313. 

DIOGENES—A cynic philosopher, was born in Paph- 
lygonia, in 413 B. C. He came when quite s young to 
Athens, and studied under Antisthenes, living in the 
meantime entirely upon alms. He died at Corinth, 323 B. 
C., leaving orders that his body should be thrown into a 
ditch, but his friends gave him a magnificent funeral. His 
life was one of constant privation, but tinged with pride. 

DOMINICK, (Saint)—Was born in 1170, at Calahorra, 
in Old Castile. Entering the priesthood at an early age, he 
soon became distinguished for zeal and the fervor of his 
preaching. When 28 years of age, he accompanied the 
bishop of Osma to the Court of .France on political busi¬ 
ness, and on their return they passed through Languedoc, 


82 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [DO. 

then infected by the heresy of the Albigenses. By preach¬ 
ing and argument, Dominick converted a great number, 
while Simon de Montfort did nothing with his fire and 
sword. Dominick reprobated.the conduct of this violent 
man, relying himself upon prayer, preaching, and good 
example. In 1215 he founded his order of Friars Preach¬ 
ers at Toulouse. Proceeding afterwards to Rome, he was 
appointed by Honorius III., master of the apostolic palace , 
an office created expressly for him. His last years were 
devoted to the extension of his order. He died at 
Bologna, in 1221, and was canonized by Gregory IX., in 
1234. His feast is celebrated on the 4th August. 

DONIZETTI, (Gaetano)—Famous Italian composer, 
was born in 1798, at Bergamo, and studied first at Bo¬ 
logna, under Mattei. Endowed with extraordinary facility 
in composition, he brought out, from 1818 to 1844, no less 
than sixty operas, some upon a vast scale. His best works 
are Lucrezia Borgia (1834), Lucia di Lammermoor (1835), 
La Favorita (1842), Linda di Ghamouni (1842). He died 
of paralysis, in 1848. 

DOMITIAN, (Titus Flavius)—Roman emperor, was 
second son of Vespasian, and born at Rome, in 51. He 
succeeded his brother Titus in 81, and at the commence¬ 
ment of his reign, was a wise and liberal ruler. In a 
short time, however, he gave way to his natural ferocity, 
and persecuted not only the Christians, but all men of 
learning and distinction. His debaucheries were of the 
most infamous nature, and he carried his impiety so far as 
to cause himself to be enrolled among the gods. His wife, 
Longina, fearing for her life, caused his assassination, in 
the year 96. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


83 


DR.] 

DOUGLAS, (Stephen Arnold)—An American states¬ 
man, born in Vermont, 1813, and died in Chicago, 1861. 
He was a United States senator for two terms, and con¬ 
nected with the events which led to the war between 
North and South. 

DOWD ALL, (George)—A Protestant archbishop whom 
Henry VIII. endeavored to thrust into the see of Armagh, 
1543. He died in 1558. 

DOYLE, (James)—An Irish Catholic prelate, distin¬ 
guished for his learning, eloquence, genius, and the truth 
and grandeur of his enlightened views. He was conse¬ 
crated bishop of Kildare and Leighlin in 1819, and by 
his writings and preaching contributed in a great measure 
to remove the disabilities under which the Penal code had 
placed Catholic Irishmen. His ablest work is the “ Vindi¬ 
cation of the Civil and Religious Principles of Irish Cath¬ 
olics.” He died in 1834, respected by Catholics and Pro¬ 
testants alike. 

DRACO—A celebrated legislator of the Athenians, who 
was archon 624 B. C. The Draconian Code is famous for 
its rigor and severity. All crimes, down to the smallest 
injustice, were punishable with capital punishment. 
Hence the Draconian Code came to be synonymous with 
a bloody code. 

DRAGUT—A notorious Turkish corsair, who fought 
in the sixteenth century under Barbarossa against the 
Italians and the Spaniards. He was born in Natolia, and 
by his boldness, genius, and acuteness, rose to one of the 
most prominent positions in the navy. He was captured 


84 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[dr. 

by Admiral Doria, but gained his liberty after some time. 
To him was due the defeat of the Spaniards at Gerbes, in 
1560. He fell while besieging Malta, in 1565. 

DRAKE, (Francis) — Famous English mariner, was 
born in Devonshire, in 1545. In 1572, with only two 
ships, he captured from the Spaniards most of the towns 
on the eastern coast of Panama, and from 1577 to 1580, 
went upon a plundering expedition against the Spaniards 
in almost every sea. He took possession of California in 
the name of Elizabeth during the voyage, and in 1585 
he captured most of the fortified places in the Canaries 
and St. Domingo. Appointed vice-admiral of England, 
he in 1588 sunk in the very port of Cadiz twenty-three 
ships, part of the great armada destined by Philip II. 
for the subjugation of England. In 1596 he captured 
Santa Martha and Rio-de-la-Hacha ; but failing in his 
attack upon Panama, he died of chagrin, at Porto-Bello, 
soon after. 

DRAKE, (Joseph R.)—An American poet, born in New 
York, 1795. He was student of Columbia College, and 
became a physician. He wrote some beautiful poetical 
works. His “ American Flag ” is much admired. He died 
at the early age of twenty-five years, in 1820, and w r as 
mourned in an elegy by Fitzgreene Ilalleck. 

DREUX, (Philip de)—Bishop of Beauvais, France ; 
distinguished himself in the third crusade, and was taken 
prisoner at the siege of St.-Jean-d’ Acre, in 1190. Re¬ 
turning home in 1190, he took part in the war against 
England, and was captured at Milly, in 1196. Upon his 
release, he made war on his own responsibility against 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


85 


DR.] 

the Albigenses with great success. He died in 1217. 
This prelate reconciled his bellicose propensities with his 
priestly character in a very casuistical way. As the canon 
law prohibited the clergy from shedding blood, he never 
carried a sword or lance, but advanced against the enemy 
with an immense mace, or swinging hammer. 

DRUOT, (Count)—General of artillery, was born at 
Nancy, France, in 1774, and was educated at the artillery 
school of Metz. As mpjor of artillery in the imperial 
guard, he contributed greatly to the victories of Napoleon 
at Wagram and at the Moskowa. After the battle of 
Bautzon he was made general of division. After the 
battle of Leipzic he saved the remnant of the army 
before Hanau. "When Napoleon was exiled to Elba, he 
accompanied him, and upon the emperor’s return to 
France, was constantly with him during the “hundred 
days.” After the defeat of Waterloo, he retired with the 
imperial guard beyond the Loire, and succeeded in calm¬ 
ing the imprudent rage of that yet formidable body, when 
they were about, alone and unsupported, to resume the 
war. He was proscribed by Louis XVIII., and court- 
martialed, but acquitted. Retiring into private life, he 
died in 1847. A practical Christian, he ever performed, 
under all circumstances, his religious duties. He was 
probably the coolest of all Napoleon’s generals, and so 
highly did the emperor esteem his judgment, that he was 
wont to call him “Druot, the Sage.” 

LRYDEN, (John)—A celebrated English poet, trage¬ 
dian, and prose writer, was born at Aid winkle, Northamp¬ 
tonshire, 1631. He was a Puritan by birth, and received 


86 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[dr. 


his early education under Dr. Busby, at Westminster. 
At the age of 19 he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, 
and after seven years study, became a citizen of Lon¬ 
don. He published an essay called “ Heroic Stanzas 
on the Death of Cromwell,” in 1658, “ Astrsea Redux,” in 
1660, “ The Wild Gallant,” in 1662, “ Annus Mirabilis,” 
in 1667, “ Essay on Dramatic Poesy,” in 1668, “ Marriage 
a la Mode,” and “All for Love,” in 1678, “ Aurungzebe,” 
and “Don Sebastian,” in 1680, “Absalom and Achito- 
phel,” in 1681, “ The Hind and Panther,” in 1686, “ Trans¬ 
lations of Juvenal and Virgil,” 1697, and the well-known 
“Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day,” in 1700. He died the same 
year, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Dryden’s 
writing is rich, classical, and very beautiful, but in his 
flights of imagination, he is irregular, and in his versifica¬ 
tion devoid of the sweetness, ease, and mellifluousness of 
Pope. He ranks higher as a dramatic writer than as a 
poet. His prose writings are among the first productions 
in the English language. His ideas seem to have varied 
much during his life. He died a Catholic. 


DUANE, (William J.)—An Irish-American lawyer 
and statesman of eminence, was born in Clonmel, Ireland, 
1780, and was the son of an American politician. Ad¬ 
mitted to the bar in 1803, he practiced in Philadelphia. 
After filling many political offices, he was appointed 
secretary of the treasury by President Jackson, in 1833, 
but was removed for disobedience. He then retired to 
private life, and died at Philadelphia, 1865. He left a 
work entitled “ The Law of Nations investigated in a 
Popular Manner.” It was published in 1809. 


DU.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 87 

DUDLEY, (Robert)—Earl of Leicester, was born in 
1531, son of the duke of Northumberland, who was con¬ 
demned to death by Queen Mary, in 1533. By the beauty 
of his figure, the elegance of his manners, &c., he gained 
an absolute ascendancy over the capricious heart of 
Elizabeth, which he retained up to his death, in 1588. 

DUMAS, (Alexander)—A mulatto, French general of 
division, was born in San Domingo, in 1762. He was 
son of the Marquis de la Pailloterie, by an African *felave. 
He served under Dumouriez, and gained each of his 
grades on the field of battle. At the battle of Brixen, in 
1798, he defended, singly and alone, the passage of a bridge 
upon which depended the success of the day, and was 
hence called the Horatius Codes of the Tyrol. In Egypt, 
at the head of a few brave men, he repressed the insur¬ 
rection which had for its object the deposition and death 
of General Dupuy. Retiring from the army on account 
of sickness, he died at Villers-Cotterets, in 1807. He was 
the father of the celebrated novelist of the same name. 

DUMOURIEZ, (Charles)—Born at Cambray, in 1739, 
was a general of brigade at the opening of the revolution. 
In 1792, being made commander of the army of the north, 
he conquered Belgium in three months, after a series of 
brilliant victories. During the trial of Louis XVI., he 
flew to Paris to save the monarch, if possible. Not 
succeeding, he rejoined his army, then reduced to 13,000 
men, and captured many of the fortresses of Holland. Be¬ 
ing threatened by the convention, which distrusted him on 
account of his moderate principles, he made overtures to 
the prince of Coburg for a junction of the two armies, 


88 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGKAPHY. [DU. 

with the intention of marching on Paris and re-establishing 
the assembly. The convention was apprised, and sent 
commissioners to arrest him. Dumouriez arrested them, 
and put his army in march for Paris ; but his soldiers 
abandoning him, he fled to the enemy, and took no more 
part in public life. He died in England, in 1823. 

DEPERRON, (James)—Cardinal, was born at St. Lo, 
France, in 1556. Educated a Calvinist, he w T as con¬ 
verted at Paris about 1575. Entering the ecclesiastical 
state, he became bishop of Evreux. He received the 
cardinal’s hat principally on account of his conferences 
on Calvinism as defended by d’Aubigne. He left many 
fine controversial works. * His death occurred in 1618. 

DUPIN, (Louis)—Professor of philosophy at the col¬ 
lege of France, was born in Normandy, in 1657. He was 
deprived of his chair on account of his Jansenism. The 
most of his life was spent in the formation of his “ Cyclo¬ 
pedia of Ecclesiastical Authors,” an immense work of 61 
vols. 8vo., in which he gives the life of each author, a 
catalogue of his works, and a criticism upon his style and 
doctrine. The work, though very valuable in many re¬ 
spects, is too often unreliable as regards its criticisms 
upon the doctrine of the fathers. Dupin died in 
1719. 

DUROC, (Gerard)—Duke of Frioul, and grand-mar¬ 
shal of the palace to Napoleon I., was born in Lorraine 
in 1772. Napoleon attached him to hi3 staff in 1796, 
and up to the time of his death made him his confidant. 
At the battle of Austerlitz, Duroc commanded a division 


ED.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 89 

of grenadiers, and distinguished himself at Essling and 
Wagram. He was killed by a cannon ball at Wurtschen 
in 1813. Napoleon seldom shed a tear, but he wept long 
and bitterly on Duroc’s death. 

E. 

ECKHARD, (John)—Was born in the duchy of Bruns¬ 
wick, 1674. He was professor of history at Helmstadt, 
and librarian of Hanover. Secretly quitting the latter 
charge, he went to Cologne, and became a Catholic. 
Through the influence of the pope, he obtained at Wurz¬ 
burg the positions of episcopal counsellor, historio¬ 
grapher, and librarian. He died in 1730, leaving a great 
number of works, the principal of which are “ Laws of 
the Franks,” “ Origin of the Hapsburgs,” “ History of the 
Middle Ages from Charlemagne to the end of the fifteenth 
century,” “ Origin and Migration of the Germans.” He 
also published the “Etymological Collections’' of Leibnitz. 

EDGEWORTH, (Maria)—A popular writer, born near 
Reading, Berkshire, 1767, removed to Edgeworthstown, 
Ireland, 1782, . and died 1849. She was the authoress 
of many fine novels and splendid tales. 

EDGEWORTH, (Richard Lowell)—Was born at Bath, 
England, in 1744. He conceived the ideas of telegraphic 
and railroad communication about 1765. Taking up his 
residence in Ireland, in 1782, he warmly espoused the 
popular cause, and when elected to the House of Com¬ 
mons, took a firm stand against the “ union.” After 1804 
he spent his time in the study of mechanics and in seek- 


90 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ED. 

ing means to perfect popular education. He died in 1817, 
leaving behind him his daughter Mary, celebrated for her 
excellent works on education. She died in 1819, at the 
age of 78. - , 

EDMUND, (Saint)—King of the East Angles in 855, 
was vanquished and put to death by the Danish princes, 
Hinguar and Hulba, in 870. His feast is celebrated 
November 20. 

EDWARD HI., (the Confessor)—King of England, 
was crowned in 1011. His entire reign was one of justice 
and peace. The laws which he enacted were so well 
observed by all the inhabitants, without distinction of 
race, that they were entitled common laws. He died in 
1066, and was canonized by Pope Alexander III. He is 
honored on January 5, and October 13. 

EDWARD VI.,—King of England, was son of Henry 
VIII. and Jane Seymour, and born in 1537. Proclaimed 
king in 1547, his regents were successively the duke of 
Somerset, and Dudley, the duke of Northumberland. He 
was educated in the “ reformed” religion, but died before 
he could do much for its progress, in his 17th year. 

EDWARD—Prince of Wales, surnamed the “Black 
Prince,” on account of the color of his armor, was born 
in 1330, of Edward III and Philippina of Hainaut. He 
distinguished himself at Crecy and Poitiers, commanding 
in person at the latter battle. Edward III. raised 
Guyenne to the rank of a principality in 1363, and in¬ 
vested the prince with the title. In 1367 he took the 
part of Peter the Cruel of Castile against Du Guesclin, 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


91 


EL.] 


and gained the victory of Najera in Navarre. He died 
in 1376. 

ELEANOR OF GUYENNE—Queen of France and 
afterwards of England, was daughter of William X., last 
duke of Aquitaine, and was born in 1122. At the age of 
15 she married Louis VII. of France, but her light con¬ 
duct caused a divorce in 1152. Six weeks afterwards she 
married Henry of Anjou, afterwards Henry II., of Eng¬ 
land, (1154) but she caused even more trouble in her 
second household than she had in her first, so that finally 
Henry shut her up in a convent, in 1173. Richard the 
Lion-Hearted released her in 1189, and left her as regent 
during his absence at the third crusade. Upon his re¬ 
turn, she retired to the abbey of Fontevrault, and there 
died in 1203, aged 81. 

ELIZABETH.—Queen of England, daughter of Henry 
VIII. by Anne Boleyn, was born in 1533. On the death 
of her half-sister Mary, in 1558, she ascended the throne. 
She re-established the “ Church of England,” and consti¬ 
tuted herself its head. She encouraged commerce, 
developed the navy, and economised the finances. In 
fact, her entire reign was in many senses beneficial to 
England, but she stained it by her persecution of Catho¬ 
lics and by her barbarity towards Mary, queen of Scots. 
(See Mary Stuart.) When Philip II. of Spain sent 
against her his invincible armada , she had the satisfaction 
of hearing of its annihilation, partly by Drake and partly 
by the storms of ocean (1588). She repressed the Irish 
revolt ifi 1600, and often aided the Netherlands when 
attacked by Spain. Elizabeth constantly refused to 
marry, though she had many favorites—especially Lei 


92 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[EM. 


cester and Essex. (See Dudley and Essex.) She died 
in 1603. Elizabeth was in reality an absolute ruler, very 
seldom convoking the parliament. She had many of tli9 
qualities which form a great monarch, but she had all 
the faults of a woman—vanity, coquetry, jealousy, and 
inconstancy. 

ELMAKYN. — An Arabian historian, known in the 
East as Ibn-Amid, was born in 1223. Although a Chris¬ 
tian, he held the position of secretary to the sultan of 
Egypt. He wrote a history of the world from the creation 
to 1118. He died in 1273. 

EMERY, (James)—Superior of the seminary of St. 
Sulpice, at Paris, was born at Gex, in 1732. He wrote 
several valuable works, among which are “ The Spirit of 
Leibnitz,” “ The Christianity of Bacon, ” and “ Reflections 
of Descartes.” He died in 1811. 

EMMET, (Robert)—An eminent Irish patriot, who lost 
his life for the cause of his country, was born in Cork, 
1780. He joined the United Irishmen,’ and, in 1803, 
boldly placed himself at the head of a party in Dublin, 
by whom Lord Kilwarden, the chief justice, was slain. 
At his trial he made one of the noblest oratorical efforts 
on record. He met his death with great dignity and 
intrepidity. He was hanged in September, 1803. Em¬ 
met was a pure patriot, an unselfish hero, and a deathless 
martyr of his country. His name is embalmed in the 
hearts of all Irishmen, and has been celebrated by the 
poet Moore. Emmet’s grave is without a headstone, and 
his epitaph unwritten ; but when Ireland achieves her 
independence, both will undoubtedly be supplied. 


EN.] ' COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 93 

EMMET, (Thomas Addis)—A learned and eloquent 
Irisk-American lawyer, and brother of the martyred 
Emmet, was born at Cork in 1764, was admitted to the 
bar in 1790, was arrested as a leader of the United 
Irishmen in 1798, and after an imprisonment of three 
years, emigrated to New York in 1804. Thomas Addis 
Emmet was attorney-general of the State of New York 
in 1812. He died at the age of 63, in 1827. Up to 
the day of his death, he adhered to, and unswervingly 
professed, the political faith and principles of his youth, 
and left behind him an everlasting name as a patriotic 
Irishman, and venerable Irisk-American. The church¬ 
yard of St. Paul’s, corner of Broadway and Fulton street, 
holds his monument and remains, as well as those of his 
countrymen. Dr. William James McNevin and General 
Richard Montgomery. 

ENGHIEN, (Louis de Bourbon, duke of)—Last of the 
Condes, was born at Chantilly, in 1772, of Henry de Bour¬ 
bon and Louisa Theresa d’ Orleans. In the royalist 
campaigns against the French republicans, he commanded 
a corps of cavalry and displayed the most heroic valor. 
Retiring into the grand-duchy of Baden upon the dis¬ 
bandment of the royal army, he betook himself to Etten- 
heim, where was residing the Princess Charlotte de Rohan- 
Rochefort, whom he tenderly loved. Caring nothing foi 
the law of neutrality, Napoleon had him arrested at mid¬ 
night of the 20th of March, 1804, and hurried across the 
frontier to Vincennes. A mock trial was held, and before 
daylight he was shot. He met his fate calmly and 
nobly. 


94 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ES. 

ENGLAND, (John) — The first Catholic bishop of 
Charleston, S. C., was born at Cork, 1786, first studied 
law for two years, then entered as a student the college 
at Carlow, and was ordained priest, in 1809, by Bishop 
Moylan of Cork. Father England was editor of the 
“ Cork Mercantile Chronicle,” parish priest of Bandon in 
1817, and became bishop of Charleston in 1820. He died 
on the 11th of April, 1842, leaving an undying name in 
Ireland and America. 

EPICURUS—A Greek philosopher, and founder of the 
sect called Epicureans, was born near Athens, 344 B. C. 
He taught that pleasure was the end of man—sensual plea¬ 
sure as well as intellectual. He denied the immortality of 
the soul, but admitted the existence of the Gods, though 
in them he acknowledged no influence over the world. As 
for the physical universe, he explained everything by a 
fortuitous conjunction of atoms. He died 270 B. C. 

ERASMUS—Born at Rotterdam, Holland, in 1467, en¬ 
tered when young into the monastic state, but left it in a 
short time, and proceeded to Paris and Bologna, to study 
theology. After he had obtained the doctorate at Bologna, 
he visited Rome, and so celebrated had he already become, 
that Pope Leo X. tried to induce him to remain, but in 
vain. Passing into England, he became intimate with 
More, the high chancellor, and for a time taught Greek 
at Oxford. Francis I. offered him the presidency of the 
college of France, but he declined. In 1521 he took up 
his abode at Basle, and there died, in 1536. 

ESOP — Fabulist, was born in Phvrgia, in the sixth 
century, B. C., and was at first a slave. On account of 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


95 


bis reputation he was called to the court of Croesus. By 
this prince he was sent to Delphi to consult the oracle, 
and having offended the inhabitants by the freedom of 
his tongue, he was hurled over a precipice, about 550 B. C. 

ESSEX, (Robert, earl of)—One of the favorites of 
Elizabeth of England, was born in 1567. At the age 
of 21, he captivated the graces of the queen, and by 
her was loaded with honors. Being sent to Ireland in 
1599, with 20,000 men to suppress a revolt, he lost nearly 
the entire army. Elizabeth, who had already become 
tired of his presumption, and who was always impatient 
of control, even in matters of affection, seized this oppor¬ 
tunity to humiliate him, and upon his return, despoiled 
him of his dignities and forbade him the court. Burning 
with rage and disappointment, Essex soon afterwards 
formed a conspiracy to seize the royal person, and thus 
obtain control of the State, if not his mistress’s hand. The 
astute Cecil discovered the plot, and the young earl was 
committed to the tower. Convicted and sentenced, his 
life was prolonged many days on account of the vacillation 
of the queen, who only wanted him to apologize, that she 
might be able to pardon him. Being led to believe by 
his enemies that the proud spirit of Essex would not 
yield, Elizabeth signed the death-warrant, and the earl 
was executed in 1601, at the early age of 34. 

ESTAING-, (Hector)—Count, a French admiral, was 
born in Auvergne, in 1720. Serving at first in the army, 
he left it with the rank of colonel, and entering the navy 
with the grade of captain, fought with indifferent success 
against the English in the East Indies. During the 


96 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [eU* 

American revolution he commanded a French squadron 
sent to aid the colonies, and in 1778 gained some 
victories in the West Indies, capturing St. Vincent and 
isle La Grenade. During the French revolution he was 
made admiral, but nevertheless his patent of nobility 
soon after involved him in the common destiny of his 
order ; and in spite of his services, he was guillotined 
in 1794. 

ETIIELWOLF—King of England from 836 to 858. 
Going to Rome upon a pilgrimage, he rendered his king¬ 
dom vassal to the Holy See. During his absence, his 
son Ethelbald had seized the crown. On his return, 
Ethelwolf made no attempt to regain his power, but 
retired quietly into private life. 

EUGENIUS, IV.—Pope from 1431 to 1447, was a 
nephew of Gregory XII., and born in Venice. His reign 
was greatly disturbed by the factious council of Basle, 
which even pretended to depose him from the pontifical 
throne. He dissolved the assemblage, and in 1438 con¬ 
voked the council of Florence, in which the reunion 
of the schismatic Greeks to Roman authority was con¬ 
summated, although it lasted but a short time. 

EUGENE, (Francis of Savoy-Carignano)—Prince, was 
born at Paris in 1663, was great grandson of Charles 
Emmanuel I., duke of Savoy, and son of Eugene, count of 
Soissons, by Olympia Mancini, a niece of Cardinal Mazarin. 
Receiving no appointment from Louis XIV., he entered 
the German army, and after many brilliant achievements 
obtained in 1697 the chief command of the imperial forces, 


EU.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 97 

Conquering the Turks at Zenta, he forced the peace of 
Carlowitz which gave to Austria nearly all of Turkish 
Hungary. In the war of the Spanish succession, he 
found himself opposed to the French with regret, but 
nevertheless he attacked Marshal Villeroi in 1701, and con¬ 
quered the duchy of Mantua. In 1704 he gained the 
victory of Hochstett over the united forces of France and 
Bavaria. In 1705 he was repulsed by the Duke de Yen- 
dome, at Cassano, but he soon recovered his activity, and 
in the next two years subdued all Lombardy. After 
many victories over the French, he was finally beaten by 
Marshal Villars, at Denain, Holland, just as he was about 
to invade France, in 1712. Another successful war 
against the Turks in 1716, and a short and indecisive 
campaign during the war of the Polish succession, 
(1733), closed h la military career. He died at Vienna, 
in 1736. As a general he held a high place in the esti¬ 
mation of Napoleon I. 

EUltIPIDES—Greek dramatist, was born at Salamis, 
480 B. C. As a poet he was the rival of Sophocles, and 
was often crowned. Being accused of impiety, he left 
Athens and accepted the hospitality of Archelaus of 
Macedonia. He died 402 B. C. 

EUSEBIUS, (Pamphili)—“The Father of Ecclesiastical 
History,” was born at Caesarea, Palestine, 226, became 
bishop of Caesarea in 314, delivered the opening address 
at the council of Nice, 325, condemned St. Athanasius at 
the council of Tyre, 334, and died in 340. He was a 
learned man, but St. Jerome calls him the “ Prince of the 
Arians.” 


98 compendium of biography. [fa. 

EUTYCHES—Greek keresiarch, was head of a mon¬ 
astery near Constantinople, when Nestorius started his 
heresy. He combatted Nestorius with ardor, but fell 
himself into an error equally gross and dangerous, about 
448. The Nestorians held that in Christ there were not 
only two natures, but two persons ; and Eutyches sus¬ 
tained that in our Lord there was not only one person, 
but also one nature. His doctrine was condemned by the 
council of Chaleedon, in 451. 

EZZELINO-ROMA.NO—Was founder of a house which 
took an important part in the wars of the Guelphs and 
Ghibelines during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. 
Having signalized himself for bravery in the second cru¬ 
sade, Ezzelino I. obtained the sovereign power in and 
around Vicenza, his native city. He first combatted, but 
afterwards made alliance with Barbarossa. He died in 
1180. 


FABIUS, (Maximus Rullianus)—Was chosen consul of 
Rome five times, and dictator twice. He was at first 
commander of the cavalry under Paperius Cursor, dicta¬ 
tor, about 325 B. C. Upon one occasion, during the 
absence of Paperius, he attacked and defeated the Sam- 
nites, which act of insubordination nearly cost him his 
head. While consul, he defeated the Samnites and Etrus¬ 
cans in a decisive battle, which cost the enemy 60,000 
men. 

FABIUS, (Maximus Verrucosus)—Called the “ tempo¬ 
rizer,’’ was consul five times, from 233 to 209 B. C., and 


FA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 99 

made dictator in 217. His name is famous principally on 
account of the tactics he adopted in his campaign against 
Hannibal. During more than six months, he marched 
and countermarched, always feigning to offer, but never 
giving battle. In 209 he defeated the African hero, at 
Tarentum. He died 205 B. C. 

FAIRFAX, (Thomas)—Lord, one of the principal par¬ 
liamentary generals during the struggle against Charles I. 
was born in the county of York, in 1611. He defeated 
Charles, at Marston-Moor, in 1644, and the following year, 
being made general-in-chief, he, in conjunction with 
Cromwell, annihilated the royalists at Naseby. He died 
in 1671. 

FARRAGUT, (David Glascoe)—A renowned Ameri¬ 
can admiral, was born in 1801, near Knoxville, Tennessee, 
son of Major Farragut, a Spaniard, who fought in the 
American Revolution. He entered the navy in 1812, be¬ 
came lieutenant in 1821, was assigned to duty at Norfolk 
navy-yard in 1824, received a commission as commander 
in 1841, and was made captain in 1855. During the 
late American civil war, he left Hampton Roads for Ship 
Island, on February 3, 1862. His victories at New 
Orleans, Vicksburg, and Mobile are among the most 
splendid achievements in the history of naval battles. 
Promoted to the rank of admiral—a rank never held by 
any other officer of the United States navy—he died at 
Portland, Maine, in 1870; blessed by his countrymen, and 
crowned with the imperishable glory of a bright and un¬ 
sullied name. 


100 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [FE. 

FARRELL, or FEARGHAL, (Saint)—Called also 
Virgil , the Wanderer, was born in Ireland about the be¬ 
ginning of the eighth century, and was the most remark¬ 
able man of his age. He visited Pepin, was entertained 
by him for two j T ears, and then passed into Germany 
with letters of recommendation to Pepin’s brother-in- 
law, Odilo, duke of Bavaria. He was elevated to the 
priesthood at Saltzbourg, and accused as a heretic before 
Pope Zachary, by St. Boniface. The fact was that Farrell 
was far away beyond his age, had discovered the sphericity 
of the earth, the existence of antipodes, the solar system, 
and the existence of other systems outside of that iu 
which our earth and moon are revolving. Pope Zachary, 
who had cited him, was so convinced by his learning and 
genius, and so struck with his sublime and lofty indepen¬ 
dence, and so fascinated with his piety, that he made him 
bishop of Saltzbourg. Farrell was an extraordinary lin¬ 
guist, a profound mathematician, a learned historian, and 
a great saint. He has done more for Carinthia, and the 
adjoining countries, than any saint on the calendar. He 
died in 784, and was solemnly canonized by Pope Gregory 
IX. in 1223. Farrell is known as the “Apostle of Carin¬ 
thia” 

FENELON, (Francis de Salignac Lamothe)—Was born 
at Quercy, in Guyenne, in 1651. He studied at St. Sulpice, 
Paris, and shortly after his ordination received from Louis 
XIY., on the recommendation of Bossuet, a mission in 
the province of Poitou. He soon distinguished himself 
by the sweetness of his manner as a preacher, and made 
a great many converts. On his return to Paris, Louis 
appointed him tutor to his grandson, the duke of Bur- 


FE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 101 

gundy, and. when the prince’s education was terminated, 
conferred upon him the archbishopric of Cambray, (1694). 
Naturally of a very sympathetic nature, Fenelon readily 
adopted some of the mystic ideas of Mad. Guyon. Bossuet 
attacked him with severity before the Roman authorities, 
and his book on the “ Maxims of the Saints ” was con¬ 
demned in 1699. Fenelon submitted, and made a public 
retractation of his errors. The rest of his life was spent in 
the care of his flock and in study. As an ecclesiastic, 
Fenelon was the model of every virtue ; as a preacher he 
had more sweetness than Bossuet, though inferior to him 
in style ; in politics, his ideas were extremely liberal. He 
died in 1715. 

FERDINAND V.—Called the “ Catholic,” king of Cas- 
tille, Aragon, Granada, and Sicily, was born in 1452. He 
married Isabella of Castille, thus obtaining t^e crown of 
tha,t kingdom, his own father, John II., having ruled 
only over Aragon and Sicily. He added Granada to his 
dominions by his victories over the Moors. The credit of 
his success is due principally to his minister, Cardinal 
Ximenes, and to his generalissimo, Cordova. He died in 
1516. 

FESCH, (Joseph)—Cardinal, was uncle of Napoleon I., 
and born at Ajaccio in 1763. He was appointed arch¬ 
bishop of Lyons in 1802, and created cardinal in 1803. 
He refused the see of Paris a few years afterwards, and 
constantly opposed his imperial nephew’s conduct towards 
Pope Pius VII. He thus incurred the dislike of Napo¬ 
leon, and he retired to the care of his diocese. When the 
smperor abdicated, in 1814, he took up his residence in 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


102 


[fl. 


Rome, and spent the rest of his life in literary and artistic 
study. He died in 1839. 


FISHER, (John)—Bishop of Rochester, England, and 
chancellor of the university of Cambridge, was born at 
Beverley, in 1455. Henry caused his execution in 1535. 

FITZ-GERALD, (Lord Edward)—Was born near 
Dublin, in 1763. He was the son of James I., duke of 
Leinster, by Lady Emily Lennox, daughter of the duke 
of Richmond. He fought in the British army during the 
American revolution, but quitted the service in 1790, and 
entered parliament. While at Paris, in 1793, he mar¬ 
ried Mile. Pamela. Having formed the design of libera¬ 
ting Ireland, he obtained from the Directory, in 1796^ a 
fleet and some troops, but was unable to effect a landing. 
He was finally betrayed and delivered to the English 
authorities.' Condemned to death, he expired before 
the time fixed for his execution, from the effects of 
the wounds he had received when being captured, (June 
4, 1798). 


FITZPATRICK, (John Bernard)—The third Catholic 
bishop of Boston, was born at Boston, 1812, and after 
studying at Boston, Montreal, and Paris, was ordained in 
1840. Father Fitzpatrick was consecrated bishop in 1844, 
and died in 1866. He was learned, affable, scholarly, 
manly, and patriotic. 


FLEURY, (Andrew Hercules)—Cardinal and minister 
of State, was born in Languedoc, in 1653. He was ap¬ 
pointed bishop of Frejus in 1698, and was made tutor to 
young Louis XV., in 1715. Having gained the confidence 


FO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 103 

of his pupil, he became prime minister in 1726, receiving 
the same year the cardinal’s hat. Fleury’s administration 
of the internal affairs of France was creditable; he re¬ 
arranged the financial system in a manner to affect more 
lightly the poorer classes, and secured an impartial ad¬ 
ministration of justice. In his foreign diplomacy he was 
not so successful. He died in 1743. 

FONTANA, (Dominick)—Famous Italian architect, 
was born at Melida, near lake Lugano, in 1543. Pope 
Sixtus Y. entrusted him with the raising and putting in 
position of the immense obelisk now in the piazza of St. 
Peter’s, but which was then half buried in ruins. He 
also constructed the vast library of the Vatican, some 
fine fountains, and several palaces in Rome. He was also 
the architect of the royal palace at Naples and of the 
beautiful Medina fountain. He died in 1607. 

FOUCHE, (Joseph)—Duke of Otranto, minister of 
police under Napoleon I., was born near Paimboeuf, iu 
1754. At the opening of the revolution he was prefect of 
studies, at the institute of the Oratorians, in Paimboeuf, but 
he soon departed for the more exciting arena of politics. 
He was chosen deputy to the convention in 1792, and 
under the Directory was appointed minister of police. 
Napoleon confirmed his appointment, and though two or 
three times he dismissed him, he was always fain to re¬ 
store to the wily agent his portfolio. On the accession of 
Louis XVIII., Fouche was made ambassador to Saxony; 
but upon the passage of the decree of exile against those 
who had v.oted the death of Louis XVI., he went to 
Trieste, where he died in 1820. He was a man of great 
oenetration, but very unscrupulous. 


104 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [FO. 

FOURIER (Charles)—Founder of the school of social 
reformers, called in France phalansterienne , and in 
America Fourierite, was born in Besan^on, in 1768. 
Up to the age of 50 he was a clerk in various commercial 
houses, but he had always been speculating upon some 
means of reorganizing society for the better. For the 
first time he published his idea in 1808, under the title 
“ Theory of the Four Movements/’ He proposed to found 
a society where all the passions, good and bad, would find 
an appropriate sphere and turn to the general good; in 
which each person’s particular inclination would be uti¬ 
lized; where to concur, for the general good would be not 
a painful, but a pleasing duty. To obtain all this, he 
would associate men according to capital, labor, and talent, 
into groups, series, and phalanxes, by means of that pas¬ 
sionate attraction which he called the law of humanity. 
Fourier developed these theories in his “ New Industrial 
World” (1829) and in his “ False Industry” (1835). He 
founded in 1832 a journal entitled “le Phalanstere” which 
in 1836 took the name of the “ Journal of Social Science,” 
and yet subsists. He died in 1837. 

FOX (Charles James)—English orator and statesman, 
was born at London, in 1749, and was son of Henry Fox 
(Lord Holland) minister under George II. When not 20 
years of age, he was elected to the House of Commons, 
and in a few years was made lord of the treasury. 
Opposing Lord North, he retired in 1774. He always 
opposed the action of England towards America, and 
when he became foreign minister, in 1782, made peace as 
soon as possible. He was rather partial to the French 
revolutionary doctrines, and always opposed the coalitions 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


105 


FR.] 


against Napoleon. He died in 1806. Fox is often called 
the Demosthenes of England. His speeches are logical, 
concise, and vigorous. 


FRANCIS, (Saint, of Assisi)—Founder of the order of 
Friars Minor, commonly called Franciscans, was born at 
Assisi, in Umbria, in 1182. Destined to commerce by his 
father, a wealthy merchant, he renounced the world at 
the age of 24, and gathering around him a few disciples, 
established at Portiuncula a community, to which he gave 
a rule, approved in 1215 by Pope Innocent III. He lived 
to see his order widely spread and performing a great 
deal of good. He died in 1226, and was canonized by 
Pope Gregory IX. He is honored on the 4th October. 


FRANCIS XAVIER, (Saint)—Was born at the castle 
of Xavier, at the foot of the Pyrenees, in 1506. Having 
made the acquaintance of St. Ignatius, who was just 
about that time starting the society of Jesus, he entered 
among his few disciples about 1534. The conversion of 
the Indies was his special object, and from 1541 he de? 
voted his life to its attainment. His exertions in Hin- 
doostan were not onty heroic, but if told of anyone but 
an apostle, almost fabulous. In fact, he has been always 
entitled the “ Apostle of the Indies.’’ He died when 
upon the point of sailing for China, in 1552. His feast 
is celebrated December 2. 


FRANCIS DE SALES, (Saint)—Born at the chateau 
of Sales, in Savoy, became a priest at the age of 26, 
after having received an education of the most brilliant 
character. By his fervent, but gentle exhortations, he 


10G COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [FR. 

converted thousands of Calvinists to the faith. In 1602, 
he was nominated bishop of Geneva, but was several 
times taken away from his diocese on political missions 
from Savoy to the coast of France. Henry IY. did his 
utmost to retain him at his court, but in vain. He 
founded the order of the Visitation, the care of which he 
confided to Mack de Ckantal, 1610. He died in 1622. 

FRANKLIN, (Benjamin) — Born at Boston in 1706, 
was the son of a soap chandler, and was trained to the 
business of printer. Having succeeded, after many years 
of steady labor and rigid economy, in laying by a small 
competency, he turned his attention to philanthropic 
objects—such as founding libraries, literary societies, etc. 
In 1747, he was elected to the Pennsylvania assembly, 
and there caused a reorganization of the state militia, and 
the foundation of several hospitals. In the meantime 
he was diligently pursuing his scientific studies, making 
many discoveries with regard to electricity, and some 
useful inventions ; such as, for example, the lightning- 
rod. In 1753 he was made postmaster-general of the 
colonies. In 1765, he was sent to London to urge the 
right of the colonists to self-taxation. When the war of 
the revolution broke out, Franklin was a member of Con¬ 
gress, and took a great part in the Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence. Soon after, he was sent as commissioner to 
Louis XVI., for the purpose of obtaining aid for the 
revolted colonies. His simple and patriarchal manners, 
and his evident rectitude of purpose, made a profound 
impression upon the volatile court of France. About the 
beginning of 1778, France and America became allies, 
greatly weakening the chances of Britain’s success. In 









* 












































































































































'WsPm 


FREDERICK THE GREAT. 


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FU.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 109 

1783, he was one of the signers of the definitive treaty of 
peace. He died in 1188. The celebrated Turgot has 
epitomized Franklin’s career in the verse, “ Eripuit coelo 
fulmen , sceptrumque tyrannis ”—“ From heaven he seized 
the lightning, from tyrants their sceptre.” 

FREDERICK II.—King of Prussia, called the “ Great,” 
was born at Berlin in 1712, and ascended the throne in 
1740. On the death of the Emperor Charles VI., he took 
advantage of the precarious situation of Mary Theresa, 
and invaded Silesia. By the treaty of Breslau, this 
province was annexed to Prussia (1742); but in 1744 tho 
empress endeavored to reconquer it, whereupon Frederick 
re-entered the field and defeated the imperial army under 
Charles of Lorraine, at Friedburg, thus compelling a 
confirmation of his dominion over Silesia by the treaty 
of Dresden (1745). During the “seven years’ war” he 
withstood a coalition of France, Austria, Russia, Sweden, 
and Saxony, and though at first,almost deprived of his 
his kingdom, he so rallied as to defeat the combined 
armies of France and. Austria, under Marshal de Soubise, 
at Rosbach, in 1757, and to afterwards regain all he had 
lost. In 1772, he added a portion of Poland to Prussia— 
the rest going to Austria and Russia. He died in 1786. 

^FULTON, (Robert) —Was born in 1765, at Little- 
Britain, in Pennsylvania. At first a painter, he soon 
turned his attention to mechanics, and invented several 
useful machines—such as one to cut and polish marble, a 
torpedo, etc. He invented, about 1800, what is now called 
the steamboat, and in 1802 made an effort at Paris to 
obtain some practical assistance in perfecting it; but in 


110 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [_GA. 

vain. Finally, he launched his first steamboat on the 
Hudson, in 1807. His invention is credited by the French 
to the Marquis de Jouffroy, who certainly did make many 
experiments in steam navigation from 1776 to 1783, but 
Fulton was the first to reduce to practice what several 
even before de Jouffroy had imagined. He died in 1815. 

Gh 

GAGE, (Thomas)—Last English governor of Massa¬ 
chusetts, was general-in-chief of the royal forces at the 
breaking out of the revolution. When Boston was 
reduced by Washington, he sailed for England, and 
there died in 1787. 

GALERIUS, (Caius)—Roman emperor, born in Dacia, 
arose from the ranks to the grade of general. He mar¬ 
ried a daughter of Diocletian, and, with Constantius 
Chlorus, became emperor in 292. He conquered Narses 
of Persia in 296. He forced Diocletian to abdicate in 305, 
and by virtue of his rank as Caesar, which made him heir 
to the throne, seized Italy and the East, leaving to 
Chlorus the rest of the empire. Maxentius having seized 
the government in Italy, he marched against him, but was 
defeated. He died at Sardaca in 311. It was Galerius 
who caused Diocletian to persecute the Christians, and he 
himself equaled his former master in ferocity. 

GALILEO—Was born at Pisa, in 1564. His natural 
taste for mathematics was so strong, that before he was 
24 years old he had acquired sufficient proficiency to 
justify his appointment as professor in the university of 
Pisa. His ideas, however, were so much opposed to those 


l*A.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. Ill 

generally received at the time, that he was compelled to 
resign his chair in 1592, and accepted a professorship at 
the university of Padua. Here he taught twenty years, 
and then accepted the invitation of Cosmo II., grand duke 
of Tuscany, to establish himself at Florence, where he 
finally died, in 1642. Much has been said about Galileo 
and the Roman inquisition in connection with the motion 
of the earth around -the sun. Galileo was summoned to 
Rome, and condemned for a while to the custody of 
the Inquisition, not for having taught that the earth 
revolved around the sun, but for having tampered with 
the biblical text to suit his theories. Nor was he at all 
consigned to a dungeon, as has been alleged. He occupied 
the apartments of one of the high officers of the tri¬ 
bunal, and was finally allowed to retire in peace to 
Florence. 

GALITZIN, (Demetrius)—A Russian nobleman, was 
born at the Hague, Holland, at which capital his father 
was ambassador of the Czar, in 1770. The princess, his 
mother, was a Roman Catholic, while his father adhered 
to the Russo-Greek schism. About 1786, the mother’s 
influence prevailed, and the young prince was received 
into the Catholic Church. During the wars consequent 
upon the French revolution, Demetrius undertook a trip 
to the United States. He made the acquaintance of 
Washington, Jefferson, and many other distinguished 
men of the time, and became quite enraptured with the 
young republic. This sympathy, added to the impression 
made upon his mind by Bishop Carroll, of Baltimore, 
determined him to take up his residence in America and 
to enter the priesthood. Soon after his ordination he 


112 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [GA. 

gathered together a few Catholic families in the Alle- 
ghanies, and founded the settlement of Loretto. Here 
he labored amid unspeakable privation for nearly half a 
century, traveling far and wide throughout that then 
wild country, doing immeasurable good wherever he 
went. Yielding at length to fatigue and hardship, he 
died, May 6, 1841. He was the second priest ordained 
by Bishop Carroll. 

GALL, (Francis Joseph)—The founder of phrenology, 
or, as he denominated it, craniology, was b6rn at Tiefen- 
brunn, grand duchy of Baden, in 1758. His studies were 
made at Strasburg, Baden, and Vienna. "While practic¬ 
ing medicine at Vienna, he commenced to advance his 
theory, and was so persecuted by those who could not 
or would not understand him, that he went to Paris and 
took out his naturalization papers as a Frenchman. The 
foundation of his science is the supposition that each 
faculty and inclination is so attached to a certain part 
of the brain, as to enable one by feeling the skull to tell, 
according to the protuberance or depression of any part, 
in what degree the corresponding faculty or inclination 
is possessed. The intellectual faculties he located in the 
fore part of the head, the spiritual and moral at the top, 
and the animal propensities he placed in the back portion. 
He numbered twenty-seven faculties or inclinations : ama¬ 
tiveness, love of one’s own children, fidelity, courage, des¬ 
tructiveness, cunning, acquisitiveness, pride, vanity, fore¬ 
sight, locality, memory of persons, memory of things, mem¬ 
ory of words, language (proof of), appreciation of color, 
music, mathematical ability, mechanical ingenuity, saga- 
sity, metaphysical talent, satirical spirit, poetical genius, 


GA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 113 

benevolence and justice, dramatic power, spirituality, and 
firmness. He died at Montrouge, in 1828. 

GALL, (Saint) — The “Apostle of Switzerland,” the 
companion of Columbanus, the founder of the monastery 
of St. Gall, in the Swiss canton of that name, was born 
in Ireland, 550, and died at St. Gall, 646. 

GALYANI, (Louis)—An Italian physician, was born 
at Bologna, in 1737. He was professor of anatomy in the 
university of that city from 1762 until 1797, when he was 
deprived of his chair by Bonaparte, because he would not 
swear allegiance to the new cisalpine republic, of which 
that general had made Bologna a part. He discovered 
those properties of electricity which, after his name, are 
called galvanic. He died in 1798. 

GAMA, (Yasco da)—Portuguese navigator, was born at 
Synis, in 1450. He doubled the cape of Good Hope, De¬ 
cember, 1497, and cast anchor off Calcutta, 1498. King 
Emmanuel gave him the title of admiral of the Indies, 
and in 1502 furnished him with fifteen ships, with which 
he subdued most of the eastern coast of Africa, and 
formed an establishment at Mozambique. He died in 
1525. 

GARDINER, (Stephen)—Bishop of Winchester, and 
grand chancellor of England, was born in 1483, at St.- 
Edmund-Bury, Suffolkshire. He was one of the deputies 
sent by Henry VIII. to Rome to negotiate his divorce 
from Catherine of Aragon, and endeavored to justify the 
king in a pamphlet, which was condemned by Romo in 


114 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [GE. 

1535. Sincerely attached, nevertheless, to the faith, he 
resisted Cranmer during the reign of Edward "VI., and 
was imprisoned. When Mary ascended the throne, he 
was appointed grand chancellor. He died in 1555. 

GENEVIEVE, (Saint)—Patroness of Paris, was born 
at Nanterre, about 423. When Attila invaded Gaul in 
451, the affrighted Parisians were about to abandon their 
city, when she prevented them by assuring them that 
Paris would be spared. Her reputation for sanctity was 
so great, that they were not much surprised at seeing the 
prediction accomplished. She died in 512, and is to this 
day deeply venerated and loved by the French. 

GENGIS-KHAN—A Mongol prince, was born in 1164. 
At first a petty chief of a horde of Mongols in Eastern 
Tartary, he extended his dominions by force of arms over 
all Tartary in 1209, over Northern China about 1213, over 
Corea in 1219, over Korachan and most of Persia in 1224. 
At his death, in 1227, he ruled absolutely from the Cas¬ 
pian sea to the Pacific ocean. As a conqueror he was 
inhuman and barbarous. He razed Bokhara and Samar- 
cand to the ground, and when he took Pekin, destroyed 
many valuable monuments of literature and art. His 
territories were divided among his four sons, Batu-Khan, 
Tchagatai, Mangou, and Oktai-Khan. The last named 
founded the Mongol dynasty of China. 

GENSERIC—King of the Vandals, succeeded his 
brother Gunderic in 428. He crossed from Spain into 
Africa in 429, by invitation of Count Boniface, who had 
rebelled against the Emperor Valentinian. St. Augustine 
caused Boniface to repent his action, and to turn his arms 


GE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 115 

against the invader, but it was too late. Genseric took 
Carthage, and establishing therein his seat of government^ 
forced Valentinian to make peace. Some time after, 
Yalentinian was killed by Petronius Maximus, and the 
Empress Eudoxia, burning for revenge, called Genseric 
to Pome. He captured the city and pillaged it, but car¬ 
ried Eudoxia captive to Africa. He died in 477. 

GEORGE III.—King of England, was born in 1738, 
and ascended the throne in 1760. He obtained some 
brilliant successes in the “ seven years’ war,” but the peace 
which he concluded in 1763, caused great discontent 
among his subjects. During his reign, the American 
colonies revolted, and though he obstinately resisted, he 
was forced in 1783 to recognize their independence. In 
1810 he became crazy, and died ten years afterwards. 
The principal minister of George III. was William Pitt. 

GEORGE IV.—King of England, was born in 1762. 
His youth was passed in debauchery, and scandalous con¬ 
duct of every description—indeed, his whole life was a dis¬ 
grace to his crown. When his father became insane, he 
was called to the regency, and in 1820 he mounted the 
throne. He yielded to the tory party, and confided prin¬ 
cipally in Castlereagh and Wellington. He was an 
inveterate enemy of the liberty of the press, and a cruel 
and merciless foe to Ireland. He died in 1830. 

GERBERT, (Pope Sylvester II.)—Remarkable for his 
knowledge of mathematics and philosophy, for many 
excellent writings and valuable discoveries, was pope 
from 999 to 1003. 


116 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [GL 

GIANNONE, (Peter)—An Italian historian of celeb¬ 
rity, was born at Ischitella, in 1676. His principal work is 
a “History of the Kingdom of Naples,” published in 1723. 
In it he displayed much scientific research, but his violent 
and unjust attacks against the Holy See, caused its con¬ 
demnation at Rome, his own excommunication by the 
archbishop of Naples, and his exile from the kingdom. 
Entering Savoy in 1736, he was arrested and imprisoned 
by order of Charles Emmanuel I., king of Sardinia. He 
made a retraction, but the king refused to release him, 
and he died in prison, in 1748. 

GIOBERTI, (Vincent)—An Italian philosopher and 
statesman, was born at Turin, 1801. Ordained when 
quite young, he soon acquired a brilliant reputation as a 
controversialist, and was appointed professor of theology 
at the university of Turin. Charles Albert created him 
his private chaplain, but his liberal ideas caused his exile 
in 1833. He lectured on philosophy and history at Bru¬ 
ssels from 1834 to 1845, writing in the meantime several 
polemical works. In 1848, Charles Albert recalled him, 
and made him prime minister of Sardinia. Being as 
much opposed to anarchy as to despotism, Gioberti en¬ 
deavored to induce the king and parliament to send a 
Sardinian army to Rome to restore Pius IX. to his do¬ 
minions. Finding his efforts of no avail, he resigned his 
office. After the disastrous battle of Novara, March, 1849, 
which caused the abdication of Charles Albert in favor of 
his son Victor Emmanuel, Gioberti was appointed ambas¬ 
sador to Paris, but he soon retired into private life. He 
died in 1852. His works are condemned by the Holy 
3ee. 


GO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 117 

GIBBON, (Edward)—Celebrated English historian, 
was born at Putney, in 1737. Brought up an Anglican, 
he became a Catholic, after having read Bossuet’s “His¬ 
tory of the Variations of Protestantism/’ but to please his 
father, he renounced the faith. From 1770 to 1778 he 
feat in parliament, but made no mark. In 1761 he pub¬ 
lished his “Essay upon the Study of Literature,” a work 
which gained for him a great reputation. From 1776 to 
1787 he was engaged upon his “ History of the Decline 
and Fall of the Homan Empire,” upon which principally 
rests his fame. In the composition of this >vork, Gibbon 
displayed much ingenious research, and fine powers of 
narration; but his cold-blooded indifference to the suffer¬ 
ings of the early Christians, and his general depreciation 
of Christianity itself must be condemned by every candid 
mind. He died in 1794. 

GCETHE, (John Wolfgang)—Famous German poet, 
was born at Frankfort on the Main, in 1749. His first 
work of note was the romance of Werther , published in 
1774. This romance gained for him the patronage of 
Charles Augustus, duke of Weimar, and with that prince 
he traveled through Switzerland, in 1779, and through 
Italy, in 1786. During the wars consequent upon the 
French revolution, Goethe wrote as usual, caring little 
for the turmoil about him. In spite of the agitation on 
political subjects which affected all Germany, people yet 
found time to admire his literary and scientific pro¬ 
ductions. When Napoleon I. was at Erfurt, he sent for 
Goethe, and decorated him with the Legion of Honor 
(1808). In 1815 the duke of Weimar made him his 
minister, and he held the post till 1828. He continued 


118 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [gR. 

his literary labors almost lip to the day of his death, 
which occurred in 1832. As a poet, Goethe was probably 
the best Germany ever produced; as a writer of prose, his 
style is pure and elegant. He cannot be said to have 
professed any religion—indeed, he seemed to be possessed 
by a general indifference with regard to anything super¬ 
natural. His principal work is Faust, which has served 
as excellent material for several dramas and operas on 
the French and English stage. 

GOLDSMITH, (Oliver)—Was born in Ireland, 1728. 
His studies were being prosecuted at Edinburgh, when they 
were interrupted by a process for debt. He fled to the 
continent, and supporting himself by his flute, traveled on 
foot through Holland, France, Germany, and Switzerland. 
In 1758, he returned to England, and supported himself 
by writing for various journals, publishing from time to 
time a few works, which gained for him a good reputation. 
He died in 1774. His best works are the comedy “ She 
Stoops to Conquer,” the novel “Vicar of Wakefield,and 
his “ History of England. 

GRATTAN, (Henry)—An exalted Irish patriot, an 
upright statesman, and an eminent orator, was born in 
Dublin, 1750, was educated at Trinity College, studied 
law at London, represented the borough of Charlemont in 
the Irish Parliament, 1775, was member for Dublin, 1790, 
entered the Imperial Parliament, 1805, first as member 
for Malton, and the next year as for Dublin, and died 
at the age of 45. The crowning act of Grattan’s life 
was the establishment of Ireland’s legislative indepen¬ 
dence ; whereby “ the King’s most excellent Majesty, and 


GR.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 119 

the Lords and Commons of Ireland, were the only power 
competent to bind Ireland.” Legislative independence 
secured the (1) repeal of the 6th of George I„ the (2) re¬ 
peal of the Perpetual Mutiny Act, (3) act to abolish the 
alteration or suppression of bills, (4) act to establish the 
final jurisdiction of the Irish courts and the Irish House 
of Lords, and the (5) repeal of Poyring’s law. In 1782, 
the Irish legislature congratulated the viceroy on the 
termination of constitutional difficulties between the two 
countries of England and Ireland, and voted a quarter of 
a million of dollars in gold to Mr. Grattan. Grattan was 
a Demosthenes in oratory, a Regulus in patriotism, and a 
Washington in integrity. 


GREELEY, ''Horace''—An eminent American aboli¬ 
tionist, journalist, humanitarian, and politician, was born 
at Amherst, New Hampshire, 1811, and died at New York, 
1872. Greeley was a self-made man, and having by 
pluck and perseverance overcome the many difficulties 
which beset his early life, started in the career of a jour¬ 
nalist. With Mr. Story he founded, in 1833, the first 
daily penny paper ever published—the “ Morning Post ” 
—which lasted but a few weeks. In 1834 he founded, 
and published for seven years after, the “ New-Yorker,” 
became editor of the “Jeffersonian,” and issued, in 1840, 
“ The Log Cabin,” which attained to a circulation of 
80,000. The great work of his life was the founding of 
“ The Daily Tribune,” which was at first a penny paper, 
but has since increased in size, and is to-day one of the 
most powerful organs on this continent. He served in 
Congress, 1848-49, and was a candidate for the presidency 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


120 


[gr. 


in 1872. He was one of the justest, noblest, and most 
humane men of his age, like the Irish O’Connell. 

GREGORY OF NAZIANZEN—Saint and father of 
the Church, was born in Cappadocia, in 328. At first 
bishop of Sasima, he governed afterwards as coadjutor of 
the diocese of Nazianzus. In 376 he went to Constan¬ 
tinople, where he made many conversions among the 
Arians. Theodosius raised him to the patriarchal chair 
soon after; but being violently persecuted by the bishops 
of Egypt, he soon resigned and returned to Cappadocia, 
where he died in 389. He left fifty discourses, remark¬ 
able for rich imagination and quick sensibility; his style 
is elegant, easy, and abundant, buo ne iacKS concen¬ 
tration. 

GREGORY i., (Saint;—tfurnameu the Great, pope, 
was born at Rome in 640, and was for some time pretor 
of Rome before he entered the ecclesiastical state. His 
fine administrative ability, joined with undoubted sanctity, 
caused his elevation to the papacy in 590. When the 
Lombards invaded Italy, he not only concluded with them 
an advantageous treaty, but disposed them favorably 
towards Christianity. His efforts for the abolition of 
slavery were energetic and unceasing. It was this pope 
who sent St. Augustine to convert England. He also 
established the “ Gregorian rite,” now used throughout 
the Latin churches, excepting that of Milan, which yet 
preserves the “ Ambroshm,” and some churches of Spain, 
which follow the rite of St. Isidore of Seville. He also 
introduced the “ Gregorian chant,” an imitation of the 
chants used by the Greeks in their worship of Ceres. 
He died in 604, leaving a number of valuable homilies. 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 


121 


OR.] 

epistles, &c. He is honored on March 12, and Sep¬ 
tember 3. 

GREGORY VII., (Saint)—Pope, was the son of a 
carpenter, and was born at Soana, in Tuscany, .in 1013. 
He is commonly known by the name of Hildebrand. At 
first a monk of Cluny, he soon went to Rome, where he 
acquired so much influence as to be almost the guid¬ 
ing spirit of all the pontiffs who reigned from Gregory 
VI. till his own election, which occurred in 1073. As 
pope, Gregory VII. was stern and uncompromising in 
enforcing the celibacy of the clergy, and in asserting the 
supremacy of the ecclesiastical power. The greater part 
of his reign was occupied in the struggle to abolish the 
custom on the part of the emperors of “ investingthe 
newly appointed bishops, he claiming “ investiture ” as 
an ecclesiastical prerogative, as well as the canonical 
institution of a prelate. In Henry IV. of Germany, he 
found an obstinate and formidable adversary, but his 
perseverance finally triumphed, and in 1077, the monarch 
who had been excommunicated, threw himself at the 
pontiff’s feet. However, in 1080, Henry recovered his 
audacity, and marched upon Rome, declaring Gregory 
deposed and proclaiming as pope, Guibert, archbishop of 
Ravenna, under the title of Clement III. The pontiff 
then called to his assistance, the Norman duke of Calabria, 
Robert Guiscard, who re-established him on his throne, 
but filled Rome with blood. When Guiscard departed, 
Gregory deemed it prudent to follow, and stopping awhile 
at Salerno, he there died, in 1085. Almost his last words 
were, “I have loved justice and hated iniquity, therefore 

I die in exile.” His feast is celebrated May 25. 

6 


122 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [GR. 

GRIFFIN, (Gerald)—A distinguished Irish novelist 
and poet, was born on the 12th December, 1803, in the 
city of Limerick, Ireland. As a novelist he ranks very- 
high, his style being terse, vigorous, and striking. In 
description he particularly excels. As a poet he is exqui¬ 
sitely tender and sympathetic, and has left us some of the 
most beautiful poems in the language. He has contributed 
to dramatic literature a noble tragedy, “ Gisippus,” which 
was performed for the first time at Drury Lane Theatre, 
London, in 1842, and was received with the utmost enthu¬ 
siasm by both press and people. His principal novels are 
“The Collegians,” “The Duke of Monmouth,” “The In¬ 
vasion,” “ Holland Tide,” “ The Rivals,” “ Tales of the 
Jury Room,” “Tales of the Five Senses,”&c., &c. In 1838 
he embraced the ecclesiastical life, entering a monastery 
of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and died on 
June 12, 1840. 

GRIMALDI, (Domenico)—A distinguished Genoese 
prelate. He took an active part in the battle of Lepanto, 
as commissary-general of the naval forces of the Pope. 
He afterwards became archbishop, and vice-legate of 
Avignon, and died in 1592. 

GRISWOLD, (Roger)—An American statesman, born 
in Connecticut, in 1762, was elected to Congress in 1794, 
in 1807 became judge of the supreme court of Connecticut, 
and in 1811 was elected governor of the State. He died 
in 1812. 

GRISI, (Giulia, Madame Melcy )—A celebrated Italian 
vocalist, was born in Milan, in 1810. She visited the 
United States in 1854, and died in Berlin, in 1869. 




I 



















GU.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


125 


GROTIUS, or DE GROOT—A distinguished Dutch 
theologian, historian, jurist, poet, scholar, writer, and 
statesman, was born at Delft in 1583, and died at Rostock 
in 1645. 

GROUCHY, (Emmanuel)—Marquis, marshal of France, 
was born at Paris, in 1766. At the opening of the revo¬ 
lution, he was sub-lieutenant in the royal body-guard, 
but he soon adopted the new ideas. Advancing rapidly 
in rank, 1793 found him a general of brigade. Being 
deprived of his grade on account of his nobility, he joined 
the army as a private, and soon regained his old rank. 
Under Joubert, he fought in the army of Italy, and deter¬ 
mined the abdication of the king of Sardinia, thus uniting 
Piedmont to France. He took a glorious part in the vic¬ 
tories of Hohenlinden, Eylau, Friedland, Wagram, and 
the Moskowa. During the “hundred days” he was en¬ 
trusted with the task of opposing the Duke d’Angouleme 
in the south of France, and he took that prince prisoner, 
receiving from Napoleon as reward the marshal’s baton. 
He was then sent to Belgium, and he gained the victory 
of Fleurus (June 16,1815) ; that of Ligny (June 17) ; and, 
according to his instructions, was marching in pursuit of 
Blucher with 30,000 men, when he heard the cannon of 
Waterloo. The order for him to turn back upon the main 
army reached him too late, and Waterloo was lost. When 
the Orleans branch of the Bourbons arose to power, in 
1830, Grouchy’s title was confirmed and he was made a 
peer of France. He died in 1847. 

GUERIN, (Eugenie de)—A French lady of eminent 
and unobtrusive piety, was born in Languedoc, in 1805. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


126 


[gu. 


She is known principally on account of her Journal. She 
died in 1848. 

GUIDO, (Reni)—An illustrious Italian painter, was 
born at Bologna in 1575, and died in the same city, 1642. 
His paintings are distinguished for elegance, tenderness, 
and delicacy. He was patronized by Paul V., and has left 
many masterpieces. 

GUSTAVUS VASA—King of Sweden, was born in 
1490, son of Eric Vasa, a Swedish noble, and was in youth 
a prisoner in Denmark. Escaping to Sweden, in about 
1519, he found his countrymen tired of the Danish domi¬ 
nation, and in 1523 he marched against Stockholm, which 
he captured, and was proclaimed king. During his reign, 
he consolidated Lutheranism, and reserved to the crown 
the nomination of bishops. He also decreed that all the 
Church revenues not absolutely necessary for the service 
should revert to the State. He died in 1560. 


GUSTAVUS II., (Adolphus)—King of Sweden, grand¬ 
son of the preceding, was born in 1594, and succeeded 
his father, Charles IX., in 1611. At this time, Sweden 
was at war with Denmark, Russia, and Poland. Con¬ 
cluding peace with Denmark and Russia, he forced 
Poland, by the victories of Walhoff (1626), and Stuhm 
(1628), to cede to Sweden all the fortresses of Livonia 
and Prussian Poland. Shortly afterwards, he allied 
himself with the Protestant princes of Germany, and in 
1630 he set out in the depth of winter to encounter the 
imperial commander, Tilly. The two armies met at Leip- 
sic in the spring, and Gustavus conquered. The following 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


127 


HA.] 

year he subdued the electorates of Treves, Mayence, and 
the Rhine. During this campaign Tilly was fatally 
wounded while defending the passage of the Lech. In 
1632, Adolphus encountered^ Wallenstein, at Lutzen, and 
in the very moment of victory he received his death 
wound. 

GUYON, (Mdme.)—A woman of mystic tendencies, was 
born at Montargis, France, in 1648. When quite young, 
her mind was directed to asceticism, and but for the oppo¬ 
sition of her family, she would have become a religieuse. 
When 28 years old she lost her husband, and though she 
had several children, she abandoned her home and duty, 
and commenced to scour Piedmont and Dauphiny, in 
obedience, she said, to the diviue will, preaching that all 
religion was reduced to a pure love of God—a doctrine 
neither more nor less than quietism. After five years of 
peregrination, she established her headquarters at Paris, 
and among her partisans she soon enrolled the sympa¬ 
thetic Fenelon. (See this name.) She was soon con¬ 
demned to the Bastile, but after six years’ detention, 
was allowed to reside at Diziers, near Blois, where she 
died, in 1717. Her principal works are a ‘‘Short and 
Easy Method of Prayer,” a “Life of Mad. Guyon,” and 
a treatise on “Spiritual Torrents.” 

H. 

HAHNEMANN, (Samuel)—Founder of the homeopathic 
school of medicine, was born at Meissen, Saxony, in 1755. 
He obtained his diploma at Erlangen, and commenced to 
practice at Leipsic. His name soon became known on 


I 

128 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ha. 

account of some valuable discoveries, such as the soluble 
mercury of Hahnemann , a new method of detecting adul¬ 
teration, etc., in wine, and arsenical poison in the 
stomach. Being dissatisfied with the medical ideas gene¬ 
rally accepted, he commenced a series of experiments— 
often exercised upon himself—and about 1794 announced 
the theory that the best way of curing a disease was to 
use such specifics as would produce upon a healthy person 
the symptoms of the same disease. Hence for the maxim 
of the old school, for contraries use contraries , he substi¬ 
tuted the formula for similar things similar. His doctrine 
he called homeopathy, from the two Greek words signifiy- 
ing similar and svffering. He always recommended infini¬ 
tesimal doses. His ideas and even his person were per¬ 
secuted, so that he was constantly obliged to change his 
residence. He finally established himself at Paris, where 
he died, in 1843. 

HAIDER-ALI—An Indian conqueror, was born, in 
1718, in the kingdom of Mysore. He was of Arabic origin 
and pretended to descend from Mahomet. He distin¬ 
guished himself while yet young against the Mahrattas, 
and in 1761 captured Seringapatam, and made himself 
master of all Mysore. With the aid of the French, he 
became lord of the coast of Malabar, and was called king 
of the Indian isles. The English tried in vain to check 
his progress. He died in 1782. 

HALLAM, (Henry)—English historian, was born in 
1778, and studied at Oxford. He was one of the editors 
of the “ Edinburgh Review,” but is best known by his 
historical writings, which display profound research, and 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


129 


HA.] 

are written with method and in an elegant style. He died 
in 1859. 

HAMILTON, (Alexander)—An illustrious federalist, 
general, orator, abolitionist, and statesman, was born in 
the West Indies, 1757, and was fatally wounded at Wee- 
hawken in a duel with Aaron Burr, 1804. 

HANNIBAL — Carthaginian general, was born 247 
B. C. His father, Hamilcar, made him swear eternal 
hatred to Rome. Upon the death of his brother-in-law, 
Hasdrubal, in Spain, he was proclaimed general-in-chief, 
though only 25 years of age, and soon opened hostilities, 
by taking and pillaging Saguntum, an ally of Rome, 
(219 B. C). He then left Spain, and traversing Gaul, 
crossed the Alps into Italy. He defeated three successive 
consuls during the < next two years, and finally nearly 
annihilated the army of Varro, at Cannae, in 216, kill¬ 
ing over 40,000 of his men. Had he marched directly 
upon Rome, he would probably have taken it; but he 
allowed his troops to become enervated by inaction 
and the seductive influences of Campania. In the mean¬ 
time the spirits of the Romans revived, and Marcellus 
marched against Hannibal, and defeated him twice, at 
Nola. In spite of his reverses, and the negligence of 
Carthage in not sending him fresh troops and money, 
Hannibal remained ten years in Italy, and only left when 
Scipio had “carried the war into Africa.” He had 
scarcely landed on his native soil, when he gave battle to 
the Romans in the plains of Zama, and was defeated, 
(202 B. C). He fled first to Antioch us, king of Syria, 
and afterwards to Prusias, king of Bithynia. The latter 


130 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[HA. 

was about to deliver him up to his enemies, in 183 B. C., 
when he poisoned himself. Cornelius Nepos wrote the 
life of Hannibal. 

HARDOUIN, (John)—A learned Jesuit, was born at 
Quimper, France, in 1646. He was a professor of rhetoric 
for some years at the college of Louis the Great, and in 
1683 was made its librarian. His works are very erudite, 
but contain some curious paradoxes. He denied all an¬ 
cient history, and declared unauthentic nearly all the writ¬ 
ings we have received from ancient times. In the works 
of Virgil and the odes of Horace he saw but so many 
Christian allegories, which he ascribed to the monks of the 
middle ages. In the ardor of his scepticism, he regarded 
as chimerical all the councils of the Church save that of 
Trent. He called the Jansenists so many atheists, and 
paid the same compliment to Descartes and Malebranche. 
In 1708 he was forced to retract the most dangerous of 
his assertions, and died in 1729. 

HAROUN-AL-RASCHID—Celebrated caliph of the 
race of the Abbasides, was born in Media, in 765. He 
distinguished himself in the war against the troops of the 
Empress Irene, and in 786, with the assistance of his 
mother, he dethroned his brother, Mouca-al-Hadi. Under 
Haroun the caliphate arose to its greatest power, and 
the court became the most splendid in the world. Haroun 
had many occasions during his reign to display his skill 
and valor against the troops of the Eastern empire, and 
he invariably met with success. Appreciating the advan¬ 
tages of international communication, he extended his 
relations in the West, and solicited an alliance with 


HE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 131 

Charlemagne. The arts and sciences always found in 
him a munificent patron. Like all eastern rulers, Haroun 
often was excessively cruel. He died in 809. 

HARVEY, (William)—An English physician, and dis¬ 
coverer of the circulation of the blood, was born at Folke¬ 
stone, in 1578. He studied in France, Italy, and Germany, 
and finally settled down at London, in 1613, as professor 
of anatomy and surgery in the medical college of that 
city. He became physician to James I. and Charles I., 
and rector of Merton college, Oxford, but during the civil 
war retired into privacy. His great discovery of the cir¬ 
culation of the blood was made about 1618, and was 
ridiculed by all the wise-acres of the time as the vagary 
of a lunatic, but it soon wrought a radical revolution in 
medical science. He died in 1657. 

HASTINGS, (Warren)—Governor of British India, 
was born in the county of Oxford, 1733. He was appoint¬ 
ed governor of Bengal in 1772, and in 1774, governor- 
general of India. He displayed much ability, and added 
enormously to the revenues of the East India company 
by means of his cruelty and exactions upon the native 
rajahs. He was recalled in 1785, and placed before the 
bar of the House of Lords, having for his prosecutors, 
Fox, Burke, and Sheridan. After ten years of debate, in 
which his guilt was fully established, the lords, yielding 
to political considerations, if not to his immense wealth, 
pronounced his acquittal. He died in 1818. 

HECTOR—Bravest of the Trojans, was son of Priam 
and Hecuba, and husband of Andromache. During the 
siege of Troy he had many combats against Ajax, Dio- 


132 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [HE. 

medes, &c., and killed many of their best officers, among 
others Patrocles, friend of Achilles. After having been 
killed by Achilles, he was tied to the chariot of the con- 
- queror, and dragged three times around the Trojan walls, 
but was afterwards delivered up, at the prayers of Priam. 

HELIOGABALUS—Roman emperor, was an illegiti¬ 
mate son of Caracalla and his niece, Julia Sosemis. When 
young he was grand-priest to the god Heliogabalus, god of 
the sun among the Syrians, but was proclaimed emperor 
by the Syrian legions upon the assassination of his father, 
in 217. This worthless man was killed by the Pretorian 
guard, in 222. 

HEMANS, (Felicia Dorothea)—Was born in Liverpool, 
1794, and died in Dublin, 1835. She was an exquisite 
poetess of the affections, at once tender, chaste, and lyrical. 

HENRY IY.—Emperor of Germany, was born in 1050, 
and, at the age of 6, succeeded his father, Henry IIP, 
under the regency of Agnes of Aquitaine, his mother. 
When about 16 years of age, his uncles, the dukes of 
Bavaria and Saxony, took him away from Agnes, but 
he very soon cast off their yoke, and defeated them in 
many battles. In 1073 he repressed a revolt of the Sax¬ 
ons ; but they soon took up arms again, excited by the 
indignation of the bishops and grand vassals of the em¬ 
pire, on account of Henry’s immorality, and his shameful 
traffic in ecclesiastical dignities. Henry again defeated 
them at Hohenburg, but was soon summoned by Pope 
Gregory to Rome to answer for his conduct. His answer 
was a pretended deposition of the pontiff, by a diet at 
Worms, in 1076. The great question of “investitures” 


HE.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


133 


now commenced to be agitated more bitterly than ever.* 
Henry was excommunicated, and compelled to ask pardon 
of the pope, in 1077 ; but encouraged by the princes of 
Lombardy, he soon declared war on the pontiff, and on 
those German princes who, upon his excommunication, 
had proclaimed Rudolph of Suabia emperor. He in¬ 
duced Guibert, archbishop of Ravenna, to assume the 
part of anti-pope, under the name of Clement III., and 
captured Rome in 1082. Upon the approach of the Nor¬ 
man Guiscard he departed, and returning to Germany, 
he again defeated the Saxons and his second competitor, 
Hermann of Luxemburg. The Countess Matilda (see this 
name,) having excited a great part of Italy against him, 
Henry again entered the peninsula and triumphed, in 
1091. His eldest son, Conrad, already crowned king of 
the Romans, having joined his enemies, Henry named as 
his successor, his second son Henrj, in 1097. But this 
son also revolted a few years afterwards, and taking the 

* The bishops and abbots were often also feudal lords, on account 
of the territories which the piety of the early princes had attached to 
their sees and monastries. As these territories were “ fiefs " they were 
conferred according to the feudal custom, viz. : the prelate first took 
the oath of fidelity to the sovereign, and then received the investiture 
of his ecclesiastical dignity, and at the same time that of the domains 
attached to his title. Thus the suzerain disposed, as it were, of both 
the spiritual and temporal jurisdiction, giving the prelate not only the 
sceptre and sword, but also the crosier and ring. Against this abuse 
many of the popes had often protested, but Gregory VII. was the most 
determined in his efforts to abolish it. The question was finally set¬ 
tled in 1122, under Pope Calixtus II., by the “Concordantof Worms." 
The pontiff accorded to the emperor the right of conferring the tem¬ 
poral jurisdiction by sword and sceptre ; reserving to the ecclesiastical 
authority its proper prerogative, the conferring of spiritual jurisdiction 
by ring and crosier. 


134: COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [lIE. 

emperor prisoner, had him deposed by the diet of May- 
ence, in 1106, and confined to prison. Henry escaped to 
Liege, where he died shortly afterwards in absolute in¬ 
digence. 

HENRY IY—Surnamed the Great, king of France, was 
born at Pau, in 1553, and was son of Anthony of Bour¬ 
bon, duke of Vendome, by Jane, queen of Navarre, who 
was descended from Robert of Clermont, sixth son of St. 
Louis. Clermont had married the daughter of Archam- 
bault, lord of Bourbon, and thus it came to pass that at 
the extinction of the family of Valois, in the person of 
Henry III., the house of Bourbon ascended the throne 
of France, in the person of Henry of Navarre, subject of 
the present sketch. The mother of Henry w-as a Calvin¬ 
ist, and in that persuasion the young prince was educated. 
He studied the art of war under Coligny. In 1572 he 
married the king’s**sister, Margaret of Valois, and about 
this time he became a Catholic. About 1576, however, he 
returned to Calvinism, and placing himself at the head 
of the Huguenot party, soon acquired a great reputation 
for courage and skill, especially at the victory of Coutras- 
sur-Joyeuse, in 1587. At the death of Henry III. he was 
recognized as king by the greater part of the army, 
August 2, 1589. At the time he was besieging Paris, 
the desertion of a number of Catholics from his standard 
caused him to raise the siege and take the open field. His 
prospects brightened after the victories of Arques, in 1589, 
and Ivry, in 1560. Finally, in 1593, Henry made a solemn 
abjuration of Calvinism, and Paris opened to him her 
gates. In 1598 he published the “Edict of Nantes,” by 
which toleration was assured to the Calvinists. From 


HE.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


135 


this time Henry’s life was devoted to the internal pros¬ 
perity of France, which he surprisingly developed. Henry 
IV., who was the best king possessed by France since 
St. Louis, fell under the dagger of the fanatic Ravaillac, 
May 14, 1610. His life had already been attempted five 
times. 

HENRY VIII.—King of England, son of Henry VII., 
fiscended the throne in 1509. He made war upon France, 
following the advice of Cardinal Wolsey, and had already 
gained many advantages, when he was recalled to Eng¬ 
land, in 1513, to repel an invasion of the Scottish king, 
James IV. James was defeated and killed at the battle 
of Flodden Field. Henry married Catherine of Aragon, 
widow of his brother Arthur; but having conceived a 
violent passion for Anne Boleyn, he applied to the pope 
for a divorce. Not succeeding, he separated from Rome, 
although up to that time he had been a zealous Catholic, 
and had even written against Luther a pamphlet which 
gained for him, from the Holy See, the title Defender of 
the Faith . In 1537 he caused Anne Boleyn to be decapi¬ 
tated for adultery. From that time he married Jane 
Seymour, who died in childbirth ; Anne of Cleves, whom 
he repudiated for ugliness ; Catherine Howard, whom he 
executed for adultery ; and Catherine Parr, who survived 
him. Henry VIII., in denying the pope’s supremacy, 
touched no other dogma of faith—that was reserved for 
succeeding reigns. He died in 1547, leaving three chil¬ 
dren, who reigned successively after him : Edward VI., 
son of Jane Seymour ; Mary, daughter of Catherine of 
Aragon ; Elizabeth, daughter of Anne Boleyn. 


1 


136 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [HL 

HERACLIIJS—Roman emperor of the East, was son 
of an exarch of Africa. In 640 he dethroned the tyrant 
Phocus and seized the crown. His reign for twelve years 
was a continual disaster. The Persians conquered Asia 
Minor and Egypt. The Avari swept a great part of 
Europe. From 622 to 629, however, he beat back the 
Persians beyond the Tigris, and his lieutenant, Bonosus, 
hurled the barbarians to the far west. From this time 
Heraclius spent his time in theological disputation, and 
took the part of the Monothelites. In the meanwhile, tine 
Caliph Aboubeker took Damascus, in 632, and the Caliph 
Omar reduced Jerusalem in 637. Shortly after, the su¬ 
pineness of the emperor lost also Mesopotamia, Syria 
and Palestine. He died in 641. 

HERSCHEL, William) — A celebrated astronomer, 
was born in Hanover, in 1738. At first a musician, he 
established himself at Halifax, England, in 1765, as an 
organist, but soon commenced the study of mathematics 
and astronomy. Being too poor to buy telescopes, he 
made them himself, and much better than any ever 
before seen in England. He discovered in 1781 the 
planet Uranus, and in 1787 its satellites. In 1789 he 
found two new satellites of Saturn. He declared that 
the solar system is not fixed, but tends towards the con¬ 
stellation of Hercules. He died in 1822. 

HIPPOCRATES—Father of medicine, was born at Cos, 
in the iEgean Sea, in 460 B. C. He taught and practiced 
medicine successively in Thessaly, Thrace, Macedonia, and 
Athens. He died at Larissa, about 360 B. C. Before 
the time of Hippocrates, medicine was the monopoly of 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


137 


£ 0 .] 

the pagan priests, and was little more than jugglery and 
superstitious practices. 

HOC HE, (Lazarus)—Commander-in-chief of the French 
republican armies, was born at Versailles, in 1768. Rising 
rapidly from the grade of sergeant, he became at 25 years 
of age commander of the army of the Moselle, and routed 
the Austrians at Weissemburg; captured Germersheim, 
Spire, and Worms, and expelled the enemy from all 
Alsace. At the instance of Pichegru, he was thrown 
into prison, but regained his liberty in a short time, and 
was placed in command of the army operating against 
the royalists in La Vendde, and succeeded in pacifying that 
region. In 1796 he tried, with a considerable army, to 
effect a landing in Ireland, but contrary winds compel¬ 
led his return. In 1797, at the head of 80,000 men, he 
crossed the Rhine, and gained over the Austrians the 
battles of Neuwied, Ukerath, and Altenkirchen. The 
preliminaries of the treaty of Campo Formio caused him 
to pause at Wetzlaer. He died suddenly, it is said of 
poison, in September the same year, just as he had been 
made general-in-chief of the army of the Rhine. 

HOMER—Most ancient and celebrated of Greek poets, 
was of Ionian origin, and lived probably in the tenth 
century, B. C. The honor of having been his birth-place 
is'disputed by Smyrna, Chios, Colophon, Salamis, Rhodes, 
Argos, and Athens. He wrote two epics, the “ Iliad ” and 
the “ Odyssey, v a mock heroic poem, founded on a sup¬ 
posed combat between rats and frogs, thirty-three hymns, 
and some epigrams. His “ Iliad ” is admired for regu¬ 
larity of conception, the simplicity of its plan, and the 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


133 


[no 


sublimity of its images. In the “ Odyssey v these are not 
so visible, but the interest is well sustained. 

HOMPESCH, (Ferdinand de)—Last grand-master of 
the order of Malta, born at Dusseldorf, in 1744 ; became 
grand-master in 1797. Won by the money of the French 
Directory, he submitted in 1798, without resistance, to 
the fleet which carried Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt. 
He was conducted to Trieste, and protesting against the 
action of the French, he abdicated the sovereignty of 
Malta in favor of Paul I. of Russia. He died at Mont¬ 
pellier, in 1802. 

HORACE—Famous Latin poet, was born at Venusium, 
in 66 B. C. He studied at Rome and Athens. Following 
the party of Brutus, he fought at Philippi as a tribune, 
and after the defeat, he returned to Rome, where he ob¬ 
tained a post in the treasury. His leisure hours he now 
devoted to poetry, and soon attracted the notice of Yirgil, 
who introduced him to Mecaenas, who in his turn pre¬ 
sented him to Augustus. Covered with favors by the 
emperor, he w T ould not accept any political honor, but 
clung to his pen until his death, which occurred about 
9 B. C. He left us four books of odes, two of satires, 
two of epistles, and his “Poetic Art.” In his odes, Horace 
is brilliant, energetic, and sublime; nor is he deficient in 
delicacy and grace. In his satires, he is urbane and be¬ 
nevolent; in fact, his raillery is too sweet to merit for 
him the title of satirist. His “Poetic Art” is to this day 
a model of good taste. 

HORTENSE—Queen of Holland, was daughter of the 
Viscount de Beauharnais by Josephine Tascher de la 


HU.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 139 

Pagerie, afterwards empress of France. She was born 
at Paris, in 1783, and after her mother’s marriage to 
Napoleon, adorned the consular and imperial courts by 
her grace and talents. In 1802 she unwillingly married 
Louis Bonaparte, and when, in 1806, Louis had been made 
king of Holland by his brother, she resided at the Hague 
as little as possible. When her husband abdicated, in 
1810, she prevailed upon Napoleon to grant a separation, 
and establishing herself finally in Paris, her parlors 
soon became the resort of all that was literary and dis¬ 
tinguished in Paris. At the restoration of the Bourbons, 
Hortense was forced to leave Paris, and after many 
changes of residence, she finally established her house¬ 
hold at the castle of Aremburg, on the border of lake 
Constance, where she died, in 1837. She had three sons: 
Napoleon Louis Charles, who died of sickness; Charles 
Louis Napoleon, who perished in the Italian revolution of 
1831; and Louis Napoleon, afterwards prince-president, 
and finally emperor of France, under the title of Na¬ 
poleon III. 

HUDSON, (Henry)—An English navigator, discovered, 
in 1610, the river which bears his name. His crew 
mutinied, and together with his son and a few faithful 
sailors, he was cast adrift, in the ship’s launch, and was 
never heard of afterwards, (1611). 

HUGH CAPET—Head of the third dynasty of French 
kings, was duke of France and count of Paris, when, at 
the death of Louis V., he proclaimed himself king. He 
chose Paris for his capital in 088, and immediately 
marched against Charles of Lorraine, who had been 


140 


COMPENDIUM OF BfOGRAPHT. 


[uu. 

proclaimed king at Laon. Charles was delivered up to 
him by traitors, and died in prison in 991. Hugh died 
in 996. 

HUGHES, (John)—First archbishop of New York, 
was born in the north of Ireland, in 1798. He came to 
America at the age of 18, and studied theology at Mt. 
St. Mary’s College, Maryland. Ordained in 1825, he ex¬ 
ercised the ministry in Philadelphia until 1838, when he 
was appointed coadjutor to Bishop Dubois, of New York. 
In 1850, New York was raised to the rank of an arch¬ 
bishopric, and Monsignor Hughes became its first incum¬ 
bent. His name is identified with the cause of Catho¬ 
licity in the republic; by pen and tongue he labored 
assiduously and devotedly, until his death in 1864. As 
a controversialist, he is well known for his argumentation 
with Breckenridge, in 1834; as a polemist, he labored 
with ardor to prevent the reading of the Protestant 
Bible in the public schools of the archdiocese of New 
York. 

HUMBOLDT, (Alexander)—Baron, celebrated traveler, 
geologist, botanist, &c., was born at Berlin, in 1769. 
His studies were made under the best masters, and he 
early developed the genius which made his name so re¬ 
nowned. In 1797 he went to Paris to prepare for a grand 
scientific tour, and set sail for South America in 1799. In 
a canoe he carefully explored the Orinoco and the Amazon, 
and ascended the Chimborazo ; with the same diligence he 
examined Mexico and Cuba, and returning to Paris, in 
1804, labored for twenty years at his “Voyage to the Equi- 
noxial Regions of the v New World.” In 1828, Nicholas 


IG-] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 141 

of Russia, gave him, in conjunction with Rose and Ehren- 
berg, the commission to explore Russia and Central 
Asia. In 1847 he settled finally at Berlin, and notwith¬ 
standing his advanced age, then 78, he commenced his 
great work, “ Cosmos; or, a Physical Description of the 
World,” which was finished in 1851. He died in 1859. 
In many respects, especially in geography, both physical 
and botanical, Humboldt renewed the face of science. 

I. 

IBRAHIM PACHA—Son of Mehemet-Ali, was born at 
Neapolis, Turkey, in 1789. His father taught him the art 
of war, and the science of administration, and empk^ed 
him in the reorganization of the Egyptian army, to which 
he applied the European system. In 1816 he undertook 
an expedition against the Wahabites, and afterwards 
subdued the kingdom of Four (Dar-Four). In 1824 
the sultan charged him with the reduction of the Morea, 
and after a war of extermination, he was compelled to 
retire by the arrival of the French. In 1831, he invaded 
Syria, took Jaffa, Kaiffa, and St. Jean d’Acre; routed the 
Turkish army at Homs and Konich the following year, 
and was in full and unopposed march for Constantinople, 
when the European powers interfered. In 1839 he again 
rebelled against the sultan, and had gained a decisive 0 
victory at Nezib, when an English fleet bombarded the 
Syrian ports, and a second time he was obliged to forego 
the fruit of his conquests. He died in 1848. 

IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA, (Saint)—Founder of the 
Society of Jesus, was born in 1191, at the chateau of 


142 COMPENDIUM OE BIOGRAPHY. [iN. 

Loyola, in Biscay, Spain, anti at first followed the pro¬ 
fession of arms; but being wounded at Pampeluna, in 
1521, the reading of pious books, which he followed dur¬ 
ing his convalescence, caused him to leave the worldly 
life he had led, and to devote his energies to the cause of 
religion. At the age of 33, he commenced his theological 
studies, at the college of Saint-Barbe, in Paris, and when 
he was sufficiently prepared, he commenced, in 1534, the 
foundation of his new institute, aided by several Spanish 
and French ecclesiastics who had been inspired by his 
zeal. In 1540 the order was approved of by Pope Paul 
III., and Ignatius was chosen its first general. He lived 
to see his order progress in an almost miraculous manner, 
and died in 1556. He was canonized by Gregory XV., 
and is honored July 31. 

INNOCENT III.—Pope from 1198 to 1216, placed 
France under interdict in 1199, on account of the divorce 
of Philip Augustus from Ingelburga. In 1209 he crowned 
Otho of Brunswick emperor, but excommunicated him 
soon after, and recognized Frederick II. He also inter¬ 
dicted King John’s kingdom of England, for refusing to 
recognize an archbishop of Canterbury whom he had 
appointed, but raised the sentence upon his submission. 
For the reformation of morals, this pope was ever zealous, 
• and with this design he convoked the fourth council of 
Lateran. He preached a crusade against the Albigenses, 
and named St. Dominick as first inquisitor. 

INNOCENT XI.—Pope from 1676 to 1689, was at first 
engaged in the profession of arms. He had many diffi¬ 
culties with France on account of the Declaration of the 


IS.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


143 


clergy of France , in 1682. He condemned the errors of 
Molinos, author of Quietism , in 1687. 

IRENE—Empress of the East, was born at Athens, of 
obscure parents. So great was her beauty, and so charm¬ 
ing her manners, that Constantine Copronymus selected 
her as wife for his son, Leo IV. She soon obtained a great 
ascendancy over the mind of Leo, and, upon his death¬ 
bed, he confided to her care the young heir to the throne, 
their son, Constantine VI., (780). As regent, Irene ob¬ 
tained some trifling advantages over the Mussulman 
troops, but the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid forced her to a 
humiliating peace. In 787 she assembled a council at 
Nice, in which she restored images to the churches, and 
caused the schism in the Eastern Church to cease for a 
while. Her son Constantine having confined her in a 
fortress, she escaped, and had him deprived of sight. She 
was dethroned in 802, by Nicephorus, her treasurer, and 
exiled to Lesbos, where she died the following year. 

IRVING, (Washington)—A classical American prose 
writer, and an excellent humorist, was born in New York, 
1783, and died at Sunnyside, on the Hudson, 1859. He 
has left many works, all of which are written in a style 
equal to that of the greatest standard writers in the 
English language. 

ISABELLA OF CASTILLE.—Queen of Spain, was 
sister of Henry IV. of Castille, and was born in 1450. 
She was married in 1469 to Ferdinand V. of Aragon. 
After the conquest of Granada, in 1492, Ferdinand and 
Isabella assumed in common the title, kings of Spain. 
Isabella died in 1504. 


144 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [jA. 

ITUBBIDE.—A Mexican general, was born in 1784, 
at Valladolid, (Mechoacan.) In the war of independence 
he at first commanded the Spanish army of the North, 
but being accused of peculation, he resigned (1816). He 
headed the revolutionists in 1820, took the capital, and 
after some brilliant successes, forced the viceroy to a truce. 
He caused himself to be proclaimed emperor of Mexico 
in 1822, under the title of Augustine I, but he was over¬ 
thrown the next year, and fled to England. In 1824 he 
made another attempt to seize the crown, but immediately 
upon his landing he was arrested and shot. 

J. 

JACKSON, (Andrew)—President of the United States, 
was born in 1767. The South Carolinians claim him as 
their fellow citizen, but it is more probable that he was 
born in Union county, North Carolina. After serving in 
the house of representatives, he entered the senate, in 
1797. He served against the English in the war of 1812, 
as a major-general; took Florida from the Spaniards, and 
in January, 1815, gained the decisive victory of New 
Orleans. He afterwards was successful in a war against 
the Seminoles. He was elected President in 1829, and 
re-elected in 1833. Upon the occasion of the tariff 
disputes, his firmness prevented a rupture between the 
northern and southern portions of the Union. In 1833 
he dissolved the United States Bank, which action pro¬ 
duced for some time great agitation in financial circles. 
Jackson was a man of indomitable will and tried patri¬ 
otism, but was often governed by party passion. He died 
ia 1845. 


JA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 145 

JAMES I. (of Scotland, the YI)—King of England, 
was born in 1566, and was son of Mary, queen of Scots, 
by Henry Stuart, lord Darnley. During his minority, 
Scotland was governed by the earls of Murray and Len¬ 
nox. After the death of Elizabeth, the English parlia¬ 
ment recognized James as king of England, owing to the 
marriage of Margaret, daughter of Henry VII., with James 
IY. of Scotland. He was a prince of feeble and peevish 
nature, and was more at home in theological disputation 
than in administrative labor. During his reign occurred 
the famous Gunpowder Plot. Although an inveterate 
enemy of the Catholic religion, he married his son Charles 
to Henrietta, daughter of Henry IY., of France, in 1625. 
He died shortly after this event. 

JAMES II. (of Scotland, the VII.)—King of England, 
was second son of Charles I., and was first known as 
duke of York. He succeeded his brother, Charles II., in 
1685. When he ascended the throne, being a Catholic, 
he promised to undertake nothing to the prejudice of 
the established Church, but his open devotion to Catho¬ 
licism soon excited universal discontent. After many 
conspiracies, he was at length dethroned by William of 
Orange, who had married his daughter Mary, (1688). 
Appealing to arms, he was defeated at the Boyne, in 
Ireland, and on sea at la Hogue. He died at Saint-Ger¬ 
main in 1701. 

JANSENIUS, (Cornelius)—Bishop of Ypres, was born 
in 1585, near Leerdam, in Holland. He studied at Lou¬ 
vain and at Paris, and became rector of the college of St. 
Pulcheria, at Louvain, about 1618. He had many dis¬ 
agreements with the Jesuits, and succeeded in having 

7 


146 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [jO. 

them excluded from the theological chairs of Louvain. 
In 1635 he was made bishop of Ypres, and died in 1638. 
Jansenius is specially noted for his work entitled “ Augus¬ 
tinus,” in which he undertook to give what he thought 
the true ideas of *St. Augustine on grace, free will, and 
predestination. He combatted therein the teachings of 
Molina, but taught a doctrine unfavorable to the free will 
of man and the goodness of Grod. From this book five 
propositions were drawn, and they were condemned 
by Innocent X., in 1653, and by Alexander VII., in 
1656. The partisans of Jansenius for the most part 
admitted the justice of the condemnation, but denied 
that the doctrine condemned was contained in the work. 
The party of the Jansenists existed until after the French 
revolution. 

JOAN OF AKC—Surnamed the Maid of Orleans, was 
born at Domremy, France, 1410. She was a peasant girl, 
and up to the age of 18 she was a shepherdess. At this 
time France was a prey to faction, and lay almost pros¬ 
trate at the feet of the conquering English. Touched 
to the heart by the misfortunes of her country, and con¬ 
fiding in certain visions which seemed to indicate that she 
was destined to save it, she left her home, and amid dan¬ 
gers of every description, set out for the despondent court 
of Charles VII., then at Chinon, in Touraine. With 
difficulty she convinced the king of her divine mission, 
and not without hesitation did he confide to her command 
a few soldiers. At the head of her little troop she set out 
to deliver Orleans, the last fortified town of importance 
left to Charles, and then besieged by a large English 
army. In eight days she succeeded (8th May, 1429). 


JE.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 147 

The confidence and enthusiasm of the army being thus 
excited, she conducted the king through the districts 
occupied by the enemy, taking many places on the way, 
and finally vanquished Talbot at the battle of Patay. She 
then caused the coronation of the king (17th July). Joan 
now wished to retire, but the prayers of Charles prevented 
her. In 1430 she threw herself into Compiegne, then 
besieged by the English and Burgundians ; but during a 
sortie (24th May) she was taken prisoner. The English, 
blinded by hate and yearning for her death, hastily 
organized a tribunal to try her for sorcery. The presi¬ 
dent of the court was Couchon, bishop of Beauvais, a 
creature of the English monarch, Henry V. The unfor¬ 
tunate maiden was convicted, and burnt alive, 30th May. 

JEFFERSON, (Thomas) — Third president of the 
United States, was born in 1743, at Shadwell, Virginia. 
At first a lawyer, he soon entered the colonial assembly. 
He encouraged the revolution, and drew up the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence. In 1784 he was sent as minister 
to France. In 1797 he was elected vice-president, and 
in 1801 president of the republic. In 1805 he was re¬ 
elected. He died in 1826. Jefferson was at once a philo¬ 
sopher, diplomat, legislator, and financier. Few presidents 
have been so much admired, both at home and abroad. 

JEROME, (Saint)—Doctor of the Church, was born in 
Dalmatia, in 329. Coming to Rome when a young man, 
he was baptized, and afterwards traveled through Gaul 
and part of Asia. He was ordained at Antioch, and re¬ 
turning to Rome, in 378, became secretary to Pope 
Damasus. He retired finally to Palestine, where he 


148 COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. [jO. 

led a monastic life, at Bethlehem, till 420, when he was 
expelled from his asylum by heretics. He died soon 
after. St. Jerome left a number of historical and pole¬ 
mical works, but his principal monument is his Latin 
translation of the Bible, known as the “Vulgate.’’ His 
style is pure and elegant, but he often indulges in sar¬ 
casm and invective. He is honored September 30. 

JOHNSON, (Samuel)—English writer, was born at 
Litchfield, in 1709, and was brought up in abject poverty. 
At first an assistant schoolmaster, he became a reporter, 
about 1740. He made himself a name about this time by 
a satire called “ London,” and in 1747 commenced his 
“ Dictionary of the English Language,” which appeared 
in 1755. During the progress of this work he published 
the “ Rambler,” a literary journal of merit. In 1759 he 
produced “Rasselas,” a moral romance which he dashed 
off in eight days that he might obtain money to bury his 
mother. In 1781 he brought out his “Lives of the Eng¬ 
lish Poets.’’ Towards the end of his life he obtained a 
pension, and died in comparative comfort, in 1784. 
Moroseness was Johnson’s characteristic as a man, and 
his works betray it. 

JONES, (Paul)—Captain in the American navy, was 
born in Scotland, in 1727. Disgusted at the cruelties 
practiced by the English on the American prisoners, he 
entered the colonial service. His audacity caused him 
in 1778 to attack White-Haven on the English coast, 
and he captured the fort, making prizes of many mer¬ 
chantmen. In 1779, with one ship, he captured two 
English frigates. He died at Paris, in 1792. 


JO.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


149 


JONSON, (Benjamin)—English dramatic poet, was 
born at London, in 1574, and was by turns a mason, sol¬ 
dier, and actor. Encouraged by Shakespeare, he soon 
confined himself entirely to dramatic writing, and in 1616 
became the “ poet laureate ” of England. He died in 1637. 
As a writer, he is full of spirit, but his humor is exces¬ 
sively satirical. 

JOSEPH II.—Emperor of Germany, was son of Maria 
Teresa, by Francis of Lorraine, and was born in 1741. 
Upon the death of Francis, in 1765, he was made emperor, 
but Maria Teresa retained the reins of power till her 
death, in 1780. His reign was a constant succession of 
broils with the ecclesiastical power ; without going out¬ 
side of the faith, and establishing himself as head of an 
“ Austrian church,” he contrived to cause as much trouble 
as possible under the pretext of “reform.” In vain the 
aged pontiff, Pius VI., visited him at Vienna, and endeavor¬ 
ed to bring him to reason. He treated the pope with all 
due external respect and veneration, but yielded in noth¬ 
ing. In 1787, he made an alliance with Catherine of 
Russia against the Turks. Repulsed at Belgrade, he had 
the mortification of seeing the Turkish army under Tous- 
souf-Pacha penetrate into the very heart of the empire. 
Laudon, however, saved the realm by his skill, and by 
the capture of Belgrade, (1788). Joseph died in 1790. 

JOSEPHINE—Empress of France, was born in Mar¬ 
tinique, 1763, and was daughter of the Count Tascher de 
la Pagerie. At the age of 15 she married the Viscount de 
Beauharnais, by whom she had two children, Eugene and 
Hortense. Her husband was guillotined, and she would 


150 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [jU. 

have met the same fate but for the interference of Tallien. 
In 1796 she had occasion to call upon Napoleon for some 
favor, and he was so enamored of her, that soon after he 
offered her his hand. Slie shared Napoleon’s fortunes till 
1809, when, having despaired of having any children by 
her, he divorced her. Josephine bore her separation with 
fortitude, and died at Malmaison, in 1814. 

JOHN OF AUSTRIA—One of the heroes of Lepanto, 
was a natural son of Charles V., and born at Ratisbon, in 
1545. Philip II., son and successor in Spain to Charles, 
endeavored to make John a monk, but not succeeding, he 
allowed him, in 1570, to attempt the reduction of the re¬ 
volted Moors in Granada. John succeeded beyond all 
expectation ; in fact, he banished the Moors forever from 
Spain. In 1571 he was entrusted with the chief com¬ 
mand of the united fleets of Venice, Spain, and Pius V., 
which were destined to operate against the enormous 
fleet of the Sultan Selim II., who had already taken Cy¬ 
prus, and then threatened the entire Mediterranean coast. 
The combatants met in the gulf of Lepanto on October 
7, and Selim’s power was forever broken. The Turks lost 
over 200 vessels and 30,000 men. John died, probably 
of poison, a few months after this brilliant victory. 

JULIAN, (The Apostate )—Nephew of Constantine the 
Great, was born at Constantinople, in 331. He was ap¬ 
pointed governor of Gaul in 355, with the title of “ Caesar,” 
and fixed his headquarters at Lutetiae, now Paris. He 
had many successful encounters with the Germans, and 
crushed them completely, in 357, at Argentoratum, now 
Strasburg. In 360, Constance II. ordered Julian to send 


JTJ.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 151 

him some troops, but they refused to march, and proclaim¬ 
ed the young “ Caesar ” emperor. Constance dying the 
following year, Julian remained master of East and West. 
He now openly renounced Christianity, but initiated no 
bloody persecutions. Nevertheless he despoiled the 
churches, and prohibited Christians from teaching philo¬ 
sophy, rhetoric, &c. As a soldier, his fame constantly 
increased ; he took Armenia and Mesopotamia from the 
Persians, and crossing the Tigris, was advancing into As¬ 
syria, when want of provisions forced him to retreat. 
During this retreat he was mortally wounded, June, 363, 

JUSTIN, (Saint)—Doctor of the Church, and called 
“the philosopher,” was born at Neapolis of Palestine, in 
103. Baptized at the age of 30, he went to Borne, and 
there opened a school of Christian philosophy. Being 
calumniated by the Cynic philosopher Crescentius, he was 
condemned to death, and suffered in 167. His feast is 
celebrated on the 13th April. St. Justin wrote two tine 
*“ Apologies of the Christian Beligion,” and a treatise on 
the “ Monarchy of God.” 

JUSTINIAN I.—Emperor of the East from 527 to 565, 
was born at Tauresium, in 483. He formed a commission 
of juris-consults to revise all the ordinances of his pre¬ 
decessors, and of them formed the Code called after his 
name. The Code was followed by the Pandects and the 
Institutions ; all being afterwards united under the title 
of Body of Civil Law. 

JUVENAL—Satiric Latin poet, was born in 42, at 
Aquinum. He studied under Quintilian, and was for 
some time a lawyer. His first satires were published 


152 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ KA * 

under Trajan and Adrian, and were much applauded, 
excepting the seventh, which caused him trouble. A 
certain actor, favorite of Adrian, taking one of Juvenal’s 
allusions as a thrust at himself, prevailed upon the 
emperor to send the poet to Egypt as prefect of a legion. 
Juvenal is supposed to have died in this species of exile, 
about the year 122. His satires are principally directed 
against the vices of his time. 


K. 


KANG-HI—Emperor of China, was born in 1653, and 
was son of Chountchi, founder of the Mantchou dynasty. 
He commenced to rule by himself when only 13, and had 
a long and prosperous reign. Being a man of literary 
tastes, he did much to promote knowledge among his 
subjects. He favored and protected the Jesuit mission¬ 
aries, and in 1692 authorized by an edict the public 
exercise of Christian worship. He composed a large 
number of works, among which were “Rules for the 
Government of a State” and “Instructions in Morality 
for my Son.” Kang-Hi died in 1722. 

KANT—A German philosopher, was born at Koenigs- 
berg, in 1724. He studied at the university of that city, 
and graduated with high honor. For over fifteen years he 
was only a simple tutor, but in 1770 he obtained the pro¬ 
fessorship of logic and metaphysics, and in 1786 became 
rector of the university. He died in 1804, in his native 
town, out of which he is said to have never gone. Kant 
submitted all human knowledge to criticism, and in our 
knowledge he discerned two parts—the one pertaining to 


KA. ] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 153 

the objects of thought, and attained by experience, he 
called the objective ; the other, pertaining to the thinker, 
and which the mind draws from itself to add to the fruit 
of experience, he entitled the subjective. Reason applies 
the subjective to the objective as a seal to wax, and then 
believes to exist outside what only exists in herself. At 
the head of his pure ideas , he placed those of time, space, 
substance, existence, &c. Declaring that we cannot know 
directly anything not attained by experience, he avowed 
that all else is simply an object of faith, so that our ideas 
of God, of the soul, of the universe, have no objective 
certitude. Notwithstanding all this, he was guilty of the 
happy inconsistency of according to reason an authority 
in morals, while in metaphysical matters he denied it any 
reliability; he believed in man’s freedom of will, in an im¬ 
perative law of duty, in harmony between virtue and hap¬ 
piness, and hence he was compelled to admit as implicated 
in all these, the existence of God and the immortality of 
the soul. That Kant caused quite a sensation in philoso¬ 
phical circles is certain ; that he did so more on account 
of the revolutionism of his new theories than on account 
of any intrinsic value they possessed, is also certain; and 
it is lo be deplored that many a good mind has been led 
by him into scepticism or pantheism. 

KARA-MOUSTAPHA — Celebrated Turkish general 
and statesman, was born about 1630. Successively aide- 
de-camp of the Sultan Mahomet IV., general of division, 
pacha, and high admiral, he became grand vizier in 1660. 
In 1682 he advanced triumphantly into Austria, and 
sweeping all before him, his cannon were already thun¬ 
dering afrthe gates of Vienna, when the gallant Sobieski, 


154 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[ka. 


of Poland, arrived to the succor of the despairing capital, 
and defeated his object. The ungrateful sultan forgot 
his past services, and caused him to be decapitated. 

KAUNITZ, (Wenceslaus)—Prince, an Austrian states¬ 
man of celebrity, was born at Vienna, in 1711. As prime- 
minister of Maria Teresa he exercised over that empress’ 
mind an almost despotic influence ; although she was an 
ardent Catholic and a good woman, and he was an un¬ 
principled libertine and half an infidel. In her name, he 
signed the famous treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748), by 
which the right of Maria Teresa to the throne was 
recognized by all her enemies. Being sent as ambassador 
to France a few years afterwards, he so ingratiated him¬ 
self into the favor of the all-powerful Pompadour, as 
through her influence to obtain, in 1755, the sanction of 
Louis XV. to an alliance between France and Austria. 
This piece of diplomacy made the name of Kaunitz cele¬ 
brated ; but in his latter years his talents greatly dimin¬ 
ished in appreciation. He died in 1794. 

KELLERMANN, (Francis)—Duke of Valmy and 
marshal of France, was born at Strasburg, in 1735. 
When the revolution broke out, he was a field-marshal 
(general of brigade). In 1792 he was entrusted with the 
command of the army of the Moselle, and at Valmy he 
defeated a Prussian army much larger than his own, and 
hurled its remnant across the frontier. In 1795 he was 
made commander of the army of the Alps, and during a 
long and tedious campaign, with only 47,000 men, he sus¬ 
tained with success the continued attacks of 150,000 
Austrians. In 1804 Napoleon gave him the marshal’s 
baton and created him duke of Valmy. His age and 


KH.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 155 

infirmities prevented his again entering the field. He 
died at Paris, in 1820. 

KENRICK, (Francis Patrick)—An American Catholic 
archbishop, and a distinguished theologian, born in Dub¬ 
lin, 1797, came to the United States in 1821, succeeded 
Dr. Conwell in the see of Philadelphia, 1842, was ap¬ 
pointed archbishop of Baltimore, 1851, and died in 1863. 
He wrote several works, the most important of which are 
his “ Moral and Dogmatic Theologies,” his edition of the 
Scriptures, and his “ Primacy of the Holy See.” As a 
prelate he was affable, as an American he was patriotic, 
and as a scholar he was profound rather than brilliant. 

KEPLER, or KEPPLER, (Johann)—An illustrious 
German astronomer, was a native of Weil, Wiirtenburg, 
December 27, 1571. He was educated at the monastery 
of Maulbronn and the university of Tubingen, was pro¬ 
fessor at Gratz from 1594-1600, became mathematician to 
the emperor from 1601-02, next received a professorship 
at Linz, and died at Ratisbon, 1630. Kepler invented 
an astronomical telescope with two convex lenses, and 
discovered the famous laws known as the “ Keplerian 
Laws.” They are three, namely : the orbits of the planets 
are elliptical y the radius vector , or line between a planet and 
the sun , passes over equal areas of its ellipse in equal times ; 
the squares of the periodic times of planets are proportional to 
the cubes of their mean distances from the sun. These laws 
have been of incalculable value to the human race. 

KHALEB, or CALEB—An Arab chief, called by Mo¬ 
hammed “ The sword of God,” was born in'582. He was 
at first opposed to the False Prophet,-and routed him at 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


156 


[kl. 


the battle of Ohod, in 625. He was a valorous, cruel, 
and implacable warrior. His death took place in 642. 


KLAPROTH, (Heinrich Julius)—A Prussian philologer 
and traveler, was born at Berlin, 1793, and died in Paris, 
1835. In the services of the Russian and Prussian gov¬ 
ernments, he published many very valuable works on the 
languages and peoples of Asia. 


KLEBER, (John)—Celebrated French general, was 
born at Strasburg, in 1754. In 1792 he enlisted as a 
private, but so distinguished himself as to arise in a short 
time to the rank of colonel. Sent against the royalists of 
la Vendee as general of brigade, with 4,000 men, he held 
20,000 of the enemy in check at Torfou, and decided the 
victory of Cholet. At the battle of Savenay he annihilated 
the royalist army (1793). In 1794 he defeated the prince 
of Wurtemburg, at Altenkirchen. Accompanying Napo¬ 
leon to Egypt, he did much towards the victories of 
Mount Thabor and Aboukir; and when Napoleon re¬ 
turned to France, was left as commander-in-chief. With 
an army almost entirely destitute of the necessaries for 
action, he yet defeated, at Meliopolis (1800), a Turkish 
army ten times the size of his own. He was about to 
conclude peace with Turkey, when he was assassinated 
in Cairo by a young Turkish enthusiast. 


KLOPSTOCK, (Frederick)—German poet, was born 
in Saxony, in 1724. He became a Lutheran minister, but 
devoted most of his time to literature—first at Zurich, 
and then at Copenhagen, under the patronage of King 
Frederick V., until 1771, when he retired to Hamburg, 


KO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 157 

where he died, in 1803. His best work is a collection of 
odes, but the greater portion of his life was spent in the 
composition of the Messiad, a kind of epic founded on the 
life of our Saviour. 

KNOX,' (John)—Principal leader of the Scotch re¬ 
formers, was born at Gifford, in 1505. He was about to be¬ 
come a priest, when he embraced the ideas of the reform, 
and commenced to preach against the papacy, the mass, 
etc. In 1552 he was appointed chaplain to Edward VL 
of England ; but on the accession of Mary, he retired 
to Geneva. Returning to Scotland, he violently opposed 
the regent, Mary of Lorraine. In 1557 he published at 
Geneva a virulent pamphlet “ Against the Government by 
Women.” On the advent of Elizabeth, he excited in Scot¬ 
land a terrible persecution against the priesthood, and in¬ 
duced the parliament to proscribe the Catholic, and estab¬ 
lish the Presbyterian worship. He was always a bitter 
enemy of Mary Stuart, treated her ever with marked 
disrespect, and did much to weaken her authority. He 
died in 1572. 

KOSCIIJSZKO.—A Polish patriot and hero, was born 
in Lithuania in 1746, and made his first campaigns in 
the American revolution, as an aide-de-camp to Washing¬ 
ton. In 1783 he served as a major-general against the 
Russians, and greatly distinguished himself at Dubieka, 
in 1792. When King Stanislas bartered away his country 
for the duchy of Lorraine, Kosciuszko retired to Leipsic ; 
but at the breaking out of the revolution of 1794, he took 
the chief command of the Polish forces. He defeated the 
Russians near Cracow, but on the approach of the Prus- 


158 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[la. 


sians, lie retired to Choczim. Four months afterwards 
he was attacked by a Russian army three times the size 
of his own ; and in the heat of the action, fell covered 
with wounds, crying out in his despair, “ the end of 
Poland.” He was conducted to St. Petersburg and 
recovered his health. After two years of confinement, 
Paul I. liberated him, and he voyaged in England and 
America until 1798, when he took up his residence at 
Paris. In 1814, he went to Soleure, in Switzerland, where 
he died in 1817. 

KOTJTOTJSOFF.—A Russian general, was born in 
1745. His first grades were won in the campaigns against 
Poland and Turkey. He commanded the army of Russia 
at Austerlitz, and shared the overwhelming defeat of the 
Austrians by Napoleon. In 1812 he was made gene¬ 
ralissimo of the Russian armies, and gave battle to 
Napoleon at the Moskowa, but was again defeated. Dur¬ 
ing the disastrous retreat of the French, Koutousoff 
succeeded by force of numbers in defeating them at 
Derogouboi, and at Krasnoi, thus obtaining the surname 
of “Saviour of Russia.’’ He died at Bunzlau, in Silesia, at 
the head of his army, in 1813. 


L. 

LACHAISE, (Francis d’ Aix)—A famous Jesuit, was 
born in Forez, France, in 1624. He was for some time 
professor of philosophy at Lyons, and in 1675 became 
confessor to Louis XIV. He died in 1709. It was 
Lachaise who promoted the marriage of Louis with Mad. 
de Maintenon. He had much to do with the revocation 


LA.] COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 159 

of the edict of Nantes, with the Bossuet-Fenelon con¬ 
troversy, and with the prosecution of the Jansenists. He 
was a man of quite ordinary talent, but he was possessed 
of an insinuating manner, and was very adroit in steer¬ 
ing through the shoals of an intriguing and unscrupulous 
court. 

LACTANTIUS.—A Christian Latin poet, was born in 
250, in Africa, and studied under Arnobius, at Sicca, in 
Numidia. Becoming a Christian in 300, he devoted the 
remainder of his life to the defense of the faith. In 318 
he went to Gaul to act as preceptor to Crispus, son of 
Constantine, and died at Treves, in 325. His works are 
quite elegant in style, but altogether wanting in true 
sentiment; his doctrine is not always thoroughly ortho¬ 
dox—probably on account of the short time he studied, 
and the advanced age at which he was converted. 

LACY, (Peter)—Count de, and Irish general in the 
Russian service, was born in Ireland, in 1678. A soldier 
of fortune, he served by turns in France, Austria, and 
Poland, but finally settled down under the Russian stand¬ 
ard. Under Peter the Great, he distinguished himself 
at Pultowa, in 1709. He devastated Finland in 1722, 
took Azov from the Turks, and was appointed governor 
of Livonia by Catherine I. He died in 1751. 

LACY, (Maurice)—Son of the preceding, was born in 
Russia, in 1725, and entered the service of Austria when 
quite young. He won much praise at Breslau, in 1757, 
and at Hochkirch, in 1758. Mary Theresa made him a 
field-marshal and a member of the Aulic council. He 
lied in 1801. 


160 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [LA. 

LA FAYETTE, (Gilbert de)—Marquis, French gene¬ 
ral, was born in 1757, in Auvergne. At the age of 20 he 
fitted out a frigate at his own expense, and sailed for 
America to join the revolutionary army. Received as a 
volunteer, he was for a time a member of the military 
family of Washington. He returned to France, in 1778, 
and obtained from the court assistance for the colonists 
in ships, men, and money. He contributed greatly to 
the success of "Washington at Yorktown, and returned to 
France soon after. He espoused the principles of tho 
French revolution, but as a commander of the national 
guard he protected the royal family as long as he could, 
and was finally outlawed for having tried to conduct the 
king out of Paris, August, 1792. Fleeing into Austria, 
he was arrested and confined in Olmutz for five years, 
when Napoleon forced the Austrians to liberate him, 
inserting in the treaty of Campo Formio a special article 
for that purpose. From this time until 1814, he remained 
in private life. As a deputy in the Chamber from 1818 
to 1830, he always showed himself a violent enemy of the 
elder branch of the Bourbons. When the revolution of 
1830 occurred, La Fayette was again appointed comman¬ 
der of the national guard, and was the chief support of 
Louis Philippe d’ Orleans. He died at Paris, in 1834. 
La Fayette possessed many fine qualities of heart, but he 
too often betrayed want of decision. He was better fitted 
to excite a revolution than to consolidate its results. 

LAGRANGE, (Joseph Louis)—A celebrated mathe¬ 
matician, was born at Turin, in 1736. At the age of 19, 
he became professor at the artillery school of Turin, and 
he gained five successive years the mathematical prize 


la.] compendium op biography. 161 

offered by the Paris Academy of Science. In 1766 he 
was appointed by Frederick II. president of the Academy 
of Berlin, and he resided there twenty years. He then 
went to Paris, and became professor at the Polytechnic. 
Napoleon created him a senator, and covered him with 
favors and dignities. He died in 1813. 

LAINEZ, (James)—A general of the Society of Jesus, 
was born in Spain, 1512. He was one of the first com¬ 
panions of St. Ignatius, and co-operated with him in 
drawing up the rules of the new organization. In 1558 
he was chosen general, and as such assisted at the council 
of Trent. He died at Rome, in 1565. 

LALANDE, (Joseph de)—Astronomer, was born at 
Bourg, France, in 1732, and made his studies at the 
college of France, Paris. In 1762 he obtained the chair 
of astronomy in the same institution, and held it for forty- 
six years. He acquired a great reputation ; but yearning 
for notoriety, he sought outside of his legitimate avoca¬ 
tion for means to render his name famous with the crowd. 
So puerile did he become in this endeavor, as to take 
to eating spiders and caterpillars. He was a daringly 
impious man, and gloried in being called an atheist. 
He died in 1807. 

LALLY, (Thomas)—Count de, and in Ireland, baron 
Tollendal ; was born in Dauphiny, in 1702, of an Irish 
family which had followed James I. into France. Enter¬ 
ing the army when quite young, he distinguished himself 
in many combats, and particularly at Fontenoy, in 1745. 
He was appointed governor of French India in 1756, and 
drove the English away from the coasts of Coromandel. 


162 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [LA. 

He was repulsed, however, from before Madras, and in 
turn was beseiged at Pondicherry. With 700 men he 
resisted several months 20,000 men and 14 ships of the 
line, and only surrendered when half-starved. On his 
return to Paris, his enemies accused him of high treason, 
and he was condemned to death by the grand chamber of 
peers. He was executed May 9, 1766. In 1778, Louis 
XVI. caused a revision of the iniquitous sentence, and re¬ 
established the family of Lally in their rights and dignities. 

LAMORICIERE, (Leo Juchault de)—Famous French 
general, was born at Nantes, in 1806. He became quite 
celebrated in the Algerian campaigns, and captured the 
emir, Abd-el-Kader, in 1847. Returning to France, he 
became minister of war under President Cavaigvac, and 
on the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon, was exiled. In 
1859 he accepted the command of the pontifical army, 
and gave battle to the Sardinian general, Cialdini, at 
Castelfidardo, September, 1860. Defeated by superior 
numbers, he nevertheless cut his way to Ancona. Forced 
to surrender, he retired to private life, and died in 1865. 

LAMENNAIS, (Robert Felicite de)—Was born at Saint- 
Malo, in 1782. His boyhood was spent in an irreligious 
manner, but at 22 he was induced by his brother to make 
his first communion. A few years after he entered the 
seminary of St. Sulpice, but not being pleased with the 
rigor of its discipline, he left it, and was, notwithstanding 
ordained priest, in 1816. In 1808 he had, together with 
his brother,- published some “ Reflections upon the state of 
the Church in France,” which work was suppressed by the 
police. In 1812 he combatted the Gallican ideas of Pradt 
and Gregoire, in a work entitled “ Tradition of the Church 


LA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 163 

upon the Institution of Bishops.” From 1817 to 1823 he 
wrote his “Essay upon Indifference in Religious Matters,” 
in which he denied the authority of individual reason, 
admitting no criterion of truth but universal consent. He 
published many other works of less importance between 
this period and his conversion to democracy, in 1830, 
when he founded his celebrated journal “ l’Avenir,” in 
which he pretended to regenerate the Church by direct¬ 
ing the efforts of Catholicism to an alliance with demo¬ 
cracy, and in which he constantly advocated the absolute 
separation of the spiritual and temporal powers. His 
doctrines were condemned by Gregory XVI., in 1832, 
and from this moment de Lamennais threw off all 
religious restraint, and in a series of diatribes of the 
most virulent nature, attacked both Church and mon¬ 
archy. From 1841 to 1846 he published his “ Outline 
of a New Philosophy,” a work in which platonic and 
Christian ideas are confusedly interwoven, and in which 
many dogmas of faith are formally denied. This was 
also condemned by the Holy See. De Lamennais died 
as he had lived, in 1854. His nature was impatient of 
any contradiction, and he always tended to extremes. 

LANFRANC—Archbishop of Canterbury, was born at 
Pavia, in 1005. He was successively professor of law at 
Pavia and at Avranches, but in 1042 joined the Benedic¬ 
tines of Bee, and soon acquired for that abbey the repu¬ 
tation of being one or the best schools of the West. 
William of Normandy, gave him the abbey of St. Stephen 
at Caen, and when he had conquered England, had him 
appointed to the see of Canterbury. Lanfranc did much 
for the civilization of the half barbarous English, founded 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


164 


[la 


and endowed hospitals, and encouraged a taste for study. 
He died in 1089. 


LANNES, (John)—Marshal of France and duke of 
Montebello, was born at Lectoure, in 1769. He enlisted 
"as a private in 1792, and advanced so rapidly that 1795 
found him a colonel. He was made general of brigade in 
1797, and conducted himself brilliantly at the taking of 
Mantua, and at the battle of Areola. In June, 1800, he 
won laurels at Montebello, and a few days after contri¬ 
buted greatly to the victory of Marengo. These actions 
gained for him the marshal’s baton and the title of duke, 
as soon as Napoleon became emperor. In the campaign 
of Germany, Lannes commanded the advance guard, and 
did good service at Austerlitz and all the succeeding bat¬ 
tles, but at Essling he was mortally wounded, May 22, 
1809. 

LAPLACE, (Simon)—Great geometrician, was born at 
Beaumont, France, in 1749. Enjoying the friendship of 
d’Alembert, he succeeded through his influence in obtain¬ 
ing the post of examiner at the artillery school, and a 
professorship in the normal school of Paris. He died in 
1827. Laplace completed the work of Newton, by doing 
away with the difficulties presented by the theory of gra¬ 
vitation. Not only was Laplace a profound thinker, but 
also a fine writer. He used in writing a captivating and 
graceful style, which justified his admission into the French 
academy. 

LA KOCHEJAQUELEIN, (Henry)—A Vendean chief, 
was born at Chatillon-sur-Sevre, in 1773. When the Yen- 
dee arose in arms for the royal cause, he took command, 


LA.J 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


165 


and distinguished himself in many combats, but was killed 
at Nouaille, in March, 1794. His harangue to his followers 
at the commencement of the revolt terminated in these 
words, “ If I recoil, kill me ; if I advance, follow me ; if 
I die, avenge me.” 

LASALLE, (John Baptist de)—A French priest, foun¬ 
der of the famous society of teachers called “ Christian 
Brothers,” or more properly " Brothers of the Christian 
schools,” was born at Rheims, in 1651. While a canon of 
the cathedral at Rheims, he commenced the foundation of 
his new congregation, and set it to work almost at its 
birth. He was prosecuted at law by the old school of 
teachers quite frequently, but in spite of many obstacles 
he soon introduced his system into the principal cities of 
France. He died in 1719. 

LAS CASAS, (Bartholomew de)—Bishop of Chiapa in 
Mexico, was born at Seville in 1474, and when quite young 
became a Dominican friar. As missionary and bishop, he* 
labored with indefatigable zeal to mitigate the sufferings 
of the unhappy Indians whom his greedy countrymen so 
mercilessly oppressed. He passed over fifty years in 
America, and died in Madrid, in 1566. His most import¬ 
ant work is entitled “ Tyrannies and Cruelties of the Span¬ 
iards.” 

Lx4S CASES, (Dieudonn^)—Count de, one of Napo¬ 
leon’s companions at St. Helena, was born in Tarn, 
France, 1766. Occupying himself generally in literary 
pursuits, he attracted the notice of Napoleon at the time 
when the English were menacing Flessingen he being 
then a volunteer to assist in repelling the enemy, (1809). 


166 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[la. 

Napoleon made him his private chamberlain. Upon the 
emperor’s exile, he followed him, and spent over eighteen 
months at St. Helena, busily occupied in noting the re¬ 
marks of his master, which he afterwards published in his 
“ Memorial of St. Helena.” Suspected by Sir Hudson 
Lowe, jailor of the emperor, he was taken by force from 
the side of Napoleon, and sent to the cape of Good Hope, 
and thence to England, where he was imprisoned till the 
death of Napoleon. He died in 1842. His son Emmanuel 
had been Napoleon’s secretary at St. Helena, and had wit¬ 
nessed the many meannesses of Lowe. He afterwards 
demanded satisfaction from the ex-governor, and not 
receiving it, slapped him in the face. 

LA TOUE d’AUVERGNE, (Theophilus) — Surnamed 
the First grenadier of France , was a soldier from his child¬ 
hood, and in 1792 commanded a corps of grenadiers called 
the infernal column. He was no less feared by the enemy 
than idolized by his men. Without ambition, he refused 
the rank of general, and after the treaty of Basle, in 1795, 
he retired to his study. Soon after he heard that the last 
son of a friend had been conscribed, and though nearly 
60 years old, he at once entered the ranks as a substitute. 
Napoleon then gave him a sword of honor and the title, 
First grenadier of France. He was killed at Oberhausen, 
June 27, 1800, and his heart was confided to the care 
of his company. Napoleon ordered his name to be kept 
upon the rolls, and that each time it would be called, a 
grenadier should answer, “ Dead on the field of honor.” 

LAUD, (William)—Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, 
was born at Reading, in 1573. After the death of Buck- 


Le.] compendium of biography. 167 

ingkam, Charles I. made him prime minister. He formed 
the project of uniting England, Scotland, and Ireland in 
one religion, of which he would be the head. He was 
arrested during the civil war by order of parliament, in 
1640, and after five years’ imprisonment, was executed for 
high treason. 

LEIBNITZ, (Godfrey)—Baron, was born at Leipsic, in 
1646. His talents and knowledge of law caused his ap¬ 
pointment as counsellor to the elector of Mayence in 1669, 
and upon the death of this prince, he was invited by the 
duke of Brunswick to the position of librarian of Hano¬ 
ver. Hitherto Leibnitz had been only a philosopher—now 
he became also a politician and a theologian. For a long 
time he corresponded with Bossuet for the purpose of 
effecting a union between Rome and the reformed orga¬ 
nizations ; and when that failed, he tried to at least har¬ 
monize the Protestant sects among themselves, but with 
the same result. Towards the end of his life, his tal¬ 
ents were eagerly sought for their respective dominions 
by Louis XIY., by Charles VI. of Germany, and by the 
Czar, Peter the Great. He died at Hanover in 1716. 
Leibnitz is chiefly celebrated as a philosopher and mathe¬ 
matician. As a mathematician, he seemed to be a victim 
of some fatality, for many of his discoveries presented 
themselves at the same time to other men—thus he and 
Newton dispute, for example, the priority of the invention 
of the differential calculus. As a philosopher, Leibnitz 
was an eclectic ; he tried to reconcile Plato and Aristotle, 
Descartes and Locke. He also imagined a system of his 
own, founded in great measure upon a medley of these 
four. In man, he said, the body and soul do not act upon 


168 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [LE 

each other, but there exists between them a pre-established 
harmony. He taught that God had created the best pos¬ 
sible world. He admitted the doctrine of innate ideas, 
and to the venerated maxim, “Nothing is in the intellect 
which has not first been in the senses,” he added, “ unless 
the intellect itself.” One of his best ideas was that of 
creating a new language adapted expressly for the discus¬ 
sion of scientific subjects. As a writer, Leibnitz made no 
pretensions to style —his object was to present ideas, not 
to spout words. 

LEO X.—Pope, was son of Lorenzo dei Medici, and 
born at Florence, in 1475. He was elevated to the papacy 
in 1513, and made his reign remarkable especially for the 
impetus given by him to progress in the fine arts. The 
indulgences which he accorded to all who would subscribe 
towards the completion of St. Peter’s basilica at Rome, 
furnished Luther with a pretext for his revolt. Leo X. 
re-established and richly endowed the university at Rome, 
caused to be sought out and published many works of the 
ancients, and founded the great library of the Lateran. 
So illustrious was his reign for progress in literature and 
art, that the epoch in which he lived is designated as the 
“ Age of Leo X.” It was then in fact that flourished 
such men as Ariosto, Bembo, Macchiavilli, Guicciardini, 
Michael Angelo, Raphael, the Caravaggi, &c. Pope Leo 
X. died in 1521. 

LEYER, (Charles James)—A very popular and very ex¬ 
cellent Irish novelist, was born in Dublin, 1806. He gave 
up the practice of medicine, and was connected with the 
“ Dublin University Magazine ” in 1842. The most cele¬ 
brated of his novels are, “ Ha. vy Lorrequer,” “ Charles 


LI.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


169 


O’Malley,” “ The Knight of Gwynne,” 1854, “ The Dal¬ 
tons,” and “Davenport Dunn,” 1859. He resided for a 
long time at Florence, was vice-consul at Spezzia, in 1858, 
and Trieste, in 1867. His writings are much prized by 
lovers of fun, originality, and character descriptions. 

LINCOLN, (Abraham)—The sixteenth president of 
the United States, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, 
February 12, 1809. His ancestors were followers of Wil¬ 
liam Penn, and young Abraham passed his youth in hard¬ 
ship, obscurity, and toil. In 1817 his parents removed to 
Indiana, and in 1820 his mother died. He formed a com¬ 
pany in 1832 to protect the frontier settlements during 
the Black Hawk war. He was elected to the legislature 
in 1834, admitted to the bar in 1836, permanently settled 
at Springfield, Illinois, to practice law, in 1837, was twice 
re-elected to the legislature, and became member of Con¬ 
gress in 1846. He was defeated by Stephen A. Douglas 
in the contest for the United States senatorship in 1854, 
but was elected to the presidency of the United States in 
1860, and re-elected in 1864, and was assassinated by John 
Wilkes Booth, at Ford’s theatre, Washington, April 14, 
1865. Abraham Lincoln’s administration is remarkable 
for the unparalleled civil war which raged for four years 
between the North and South, for the triumph of. the 
Union army under Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan ; for 
the emancipation of four millions of slaves, and for the 
commencement of a new era in the history of the United 
States. Abraham Lincoln was a just man, wise, hu¬ 
mane, practical, far-sighted, and no accepter of persons. 
Future generations will couple his name with that of 
Washington* 


8 


170 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[lo. 

LINGARD, (John)—An English historian, was born 
at Hornby, in 1769. As a Catholic priest, his first years 
were passed on the mission at Newcastle-on-Tyne, but the 
last years of his life were spent at Rome, he returning 
home to die in 1851. He made his first historical effort in 
1809, by the publication of a work on the “ Antiquities of 
the Anglo-Saxon Church.” In 1819 he commenced to 
produce his great work on the “ History of England,” and 
finished it in 1832, revising it, however, in many succes¬ 
sive editions, until, in 1850, he regarded it as sufficiently 
complete. Lingard had apparently for his object in 
writing this work, not only the correction of the errors of 
Protestant historians, but also the development of sub¬ 
jects for the most part untouched up to his time. 

LIGTJORI, (Alphonsus)—Saint, was born at Naples, in 
1696. At first a lawyer, he soon abandoned the bar, and 
took holy orders. About 1722 he founded a new religious 
congregation under the title of “ Congregation of the Most 
Holy Redeemer,” destined especially for the work of 
giving “missions'’ among the country people. The new 
institute and its rules were approved of by Pope Benedict 
XIV., and the numerous disciples of the holy servant of 
God soon extended the order through Europe, to the 
great, advantage of the people. Pope Clement XIII. made 
Alphonsus bishop of St. Agatha of the Goths. He died 
in 1787. His feast is celebrated on the 2d of August. 

LOCKE, (John)—An English philosopher, was born at 
"Wrington, in 1632. He graduated at Oxford, and about 
1666 became a favorite of Ashley Cooper, afterwards earl 
of Shaftesbury and lord-chancellor, from whom he re- 


LO.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


171 


ceived employment in copying and revising documents 
which the noble earl could not understand. When 
Shaftesbury fell from office, Locke followed him to Hol¬ 
land, but returned with William of Orange, by whom 
he was appointed a commissoner of commerce. About 
1700 he retired into private life, and died in 1704. The 
whole of Locke’s life, despite appearances, had been spent 
in philosophical meditation. His ideas, as far as we can 
judge from the numerous pamphlets and essays he wrote 
from 1690 to 1696, were rather materialistic and fatalist 
in tendency. Reversing the theory of “innate ideas,’* 
he regarded the mind as at first a mere blank, and 
explained the origin of our ideas by the two channels of 
sensation and reflection. Yoltaire introduced his specula¬ 
tions into France ; Leibnitz, to a certain extent, fought 
them in Germany, and Cardinal Gerdil combatted them in 
Italy. 

LOMBARD, (Peter)—Celebrated theologian, was born 
at Novara, Italy, in 1100. Going to France when young, he 
studied at the university of Paris, and after having taught 
with success for several years, became bishop of that city. 
He died in 1164. Lombard has left us a course of theo¬ 
logy, under the title of “Book of Sentences,” in which he 
gives us the opinions of the Fathers upon many impor¬ 
tant points, without giving, as a general rule, any idea of 
his own. This book served for centuries as fuel for the 
fire of scholastic disputation, and among the many com¬ 
mentators it was honored with, St. Thomas of Aquin 
holds the first place. 

LORRAIN (Claude Gelee , entitled le )—Famous painter, 
was born in Lorraine, in 1600. He studied in Italy, and 


172 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [LO. 

settled finally at Rome, about 1627, and there died, in 
1682. His characteristics are richness of style, and taste 
in color. From his studio came forth many of the best 
modern artists. 

LOUIS IX., (Saint)—King of France, was born at 
Poissy, in 1215, and ascended the throne in 1226 under 
the regency of his mother, Blanche of Castille. In 1236 
he commenced to rule by himself, and soon won the love 
of his subjects by his economical administration and his 
strict enforcement of justice. The turbulence* of the 
great vassals of the crown caused him much trouble. He 
was obliged to make war upon the Count de la Marche 
and upon the count’s ally, Henry III., of England, whom 
he defeated at Taillebourg and Saintes in 1242. He 
departed from France in 1248 for Palestine, and landing 
in Egypt, took Damietta the following year, and won a 
brilliant victory at Mansourah; but sickness forced him to 
retreat, and with two of his brothers he was captured by 
the Saracens. When ransomed, he spent four years in 
Palestine, and returning to France, he gave all his atten¬ 
tion to wise reform ; personally administering justice in 
important cases, abolishing judicial combats, family feuds, 
&c. In 1270 he again embarked for the Holy Land, and 
landing at Tunis, gained some advantages. He fell a 
victim to a pest, however, soon after his arrival^ So 
great was the reputation of St. Louis for justice, that he 
was chosen an arbitrator between Pope Gregory IX. and 
Frederick II., and Henry II, of England and his barons. 
His piety was so conspicuous that even during his life he 
was universally regarded as a saint. He was canonized 
in 1297, and he is honored on the 25th August. 


LO.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


173 


LOUIS XI.—King of France, was born at Bourges, in 
1423, revolted twice against his father, Charles VII., and 
fled to the court of Burgundy, where he remained till the 
king’s death, in 1461. As a sovereign, he was a tyrant; as 
a man, contemptible. His confidant was his barber ; and 
his boon companion, the hangman. Detested and feared 
by all the great vassals of the crown, his reign was one 
of constant discord, but his trickery generally caused him 
to triumph. Judicial, and, even secret, murders were 
trivial faults in his estimation ; yet he was a victim of 
absurd superstition, and thought more of the stars than of 
God. His guiding maxim was “ He who knows not how 
to dissimulate, knows not how to reign.” He died in 1480. 

LOUIS XIV., (Surnamed the Great)—King of France, 
was born in 1638, and proclaimed king in 1643, under the 
regency of his mother, Anne of Austria. At the age of 
13 he assumed control of the government. His minority 
was troubled by civil war and by continual contests with 
Spain and the empire. The treaty of Munster ter¬ 
minated for a wdiile the differences with Germany (1648), 
and that of the Pyrenees (1659) settled the Spanish 
question, the young Louis marrying Mary Theresa of 
Austria, daughter of the king of Spain. During the first 
ten years of his reign, Louis was greatly controlled by 
the minister, Cardinal Mazarin : but when that statesman 
died, his own will became his guide. In 1665, Louis 
made war on Flanders and Franche-Comte, claiming 
them as his wife’s dowry, and in one campaign conquered 
the entire country; but Holland coming to the assistance 
of Spain, he abandoned Franche-Comte in 1668, by 
die peace of Aix-la-Chapelle. In 1672 Louis marched 


174 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [lO. 

against Holland in person, and crossed the Rhine, fol¬ 
lowed by Turenne and Conde. The emperor of Germany, 
the king of Spain, and the elector of Bran deburg, made 
alliance against the daring monarch ; but Louis recon¬ 
quered Franche-Comtd, sent Turenne into the Palatinate 
with fire and sword, while Conde defeated the prince of 
Orange at Senef, and Schomberg routed the Spaniards at 
Roussillon—Admiral Duquesne vanquishing the Dutch 
Admiral Ruj r ter in two splendid engagements. The war 
was terminated in 1678 by the treaty of Nimwegen, but 
in 1685 Louis had to sustain the combined assault of 
England, Germany, Spain, and Holland. Defeated in the 
naval battle of La Hogue, the French counterbalanced 
their loss by the capture of Namur, and the victories of 
Steinkerke, Nerwinden, and Marsaglia. The treaty of 
Ryswick, in 1697, put an end to the war and caused 
France to abandon the conquered territories. In 1700 
commenced the war of the “ Spanish succession,” and 
France was beaten at Hochstett in 1704, and at Ramillies 
in 1706; but Berwick gained in Spain the signal victory 
of Almanza, and Duguay gained many naval battles. 
Prince Eugene and Marlborough defeated Marshal Villars 
at Malplaquet, in 1709, and all seemed lost for France, 
when the Duke de Yendome, in 1710, won the decisive 
victory of Villaviciosa, which placed the crown of Spain 
upon the head of Philip, grandson of Louis. In 1712 
Villars retook Denain, thus bringing about the peace of 
Utrecht. Louis died in 1715, having had the active con¬ 
trol of the government for sixty years. His reign was 
brilliant, not only in a military sense, but from a literary 
and artistic point of view. He possessed all the qualities 
of a great monarch—he was generous, noble, firm, and 


LO.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


175 


brave ; but he was too fond of war, and much addicted to 
pleasure. He took a great part in the ecclesiastical 
affairs of his kingdom, revoking the Edict of Nantes 
and treating the Protestants with great rigor, repressing 
Jansenism and encouraging Gallicanism. 

LOUIS XVI.—King of France, was born in 1754, 
ascended the throne in 1774, and during the first years 
of his reign gave universal satisfaction. He re-established- 
the parliaments suppressed by his predecessor, Louis XV., 
and abolished the torture ; created many institutions for 
the benefit of the poorer classes, etc. He called to the 
ministry such men as seemed by talent and the confidence 
of the people to be calculated to give prosperity to France; 
but the evils of the preceding reigns were not to be 
easily remedied. To elevate the financial credit of the 
government, he convoked the “States General v at Ver¬ 
sailles, the 5th May, 1789, but the discussions between 
the people, clergy, and nobility therein assembled, caused 
nothing but fermentation, and finally violent demonstra¬ 
tions against the throne. On the 14th July, the Parisian 
populace arose in arms, seized the Bastile, and on-the 5th 
October compelled the royal family to establish their 
residence in Paris. From this time, Louis was no longer 
free in his actions, either as man or as king. En¬ 
couraged by foreign powers, he fled from Paris on the 
20tli June, 1791, but at Varennes he was arrested and 
conducted back to the capital. He now reigned only in 
name. The princes who at the approach of the storm 
had emigrated to foreign lands, now prepared to restore 
the authority of the king by force of arms, and thus the 
position of Louis was rendered serious. In August, 1792, 


176 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ L0 * 

lie threw himself on the generosity of the Legislative 
Assembly; but instead of protecting him, the members 
voted for his suspension from power, and he was im¬ 
prisoned in the Temple. On the 21st September the 
“ Convention ” assembled, and after declaring the aboli¬ 
tion of royalty, constituted itself into a tribunal to judge 
the unfortunate Louis. After a mock trial he was found 
guilty of conspiracy and high treason against the State, 
and by a vote of 366 against 355 he was condemned to 
death. He met his fate, January 21, 1793, with Christian 
resignation, and with a dignity worthy of his name. 
Louis XYI. was a virtuous man, but he lacked decision of 
character. His education had been carefully attended 
to, and he was very proficient in history, geography, and 
mechanics. 

LOUIS PHILIPPE—King of the French, so entitled 
on account of the tincture of democracy supposed to 
reside more in that designation than in that of “ King 
of France,” was the eldest son of Louis Philippe, duke 
of Orleans. (See this name.) He was born in Paris, in 
1773, and was educated by Mad. de Genlis in the Vol- 
tarian ideas, unfortunately at that time so much cherished 
by most of the high nobility of France. At the outbreak 
of the revolution he adopted its principles, and fought on 
the frontier against the invading armies with great dis¬ 
tinction, both for bravery and skill. Nevertheless, his 
Bourbon blood caused his exile in 1793, and he retired 
to Reichenau, in Switzerland, where, under an assumed 
name, he supported himself for a year by teaching school. 
His purse being filled about this time, he commenced to 
travel, and until 1809 he busied himself in studying the 


LO.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


177 


northern countries of Europe and America. He married 
the Princess Mary Amelia of Bourbon, daughter of Fer¬ 
dinand I., king of Naples, in 1809. At the restoration 
of the Bourbons, in 1814, he went back to France, but 
was received coldly by Louis XVIII., who refused him 
the title due to a prince of the blood, viz., “ Highness.” 
From this time, Louis Philippe was admired and sur¬ 
rounded by the malcontents of France, and when the 
revolution of 1830 broke out, he was regarded by most 
men as the best adapted to save France from anarchy. 
On the fall of Charles X., the Chamber voted him the 
crown, August 9, 1830. His reign was one of moder¬ 
ation, and w T as generally acceptable to the masses. It 
was principally signalized by the marriage of his daugh¬ 
ter Louise to Leopold of Belgium, 1832 ; a success¬ 
ful expedition against Portugal, in 1831 ; the check¬ 
ing of Austrian progress in Italy, by the occupation 
of Ancona, in 1832 ; the arrest of the Duchess of 
Berry, who was exciting an insurrection in favor of the 
Count de Chambord, in 1832 ; the quadruple alliance 
between England, France, Spain, and Portugal, in 1834, 
to insure peace in Spain ; the marriage of the Duke d’Or- 
leans, his eldest son, to a Protestant princess, Helen of 
Mecklenburg, 1837 ; the war with Mexico, in which St. 
John of Ulloa, strongest fortress of Mexico, was taken, 
1838 ; the aid given to the pacha of Egypt in his revolt 
against Turkey, 1839; the marriage of his eighth son, 
the duke of Montpensier, to the sister of Isabella of Spain, 
1846; the constant extension of the power of France in 
Algiers. About the beginning of 1848, the people de¬ 
manded a change in the electoral laws, and Louis Philippe 
formed a new ministry favorable to reform. These con- 


178 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[lo. 


cessions not sufficing, he abdicated in favor of his grand- 
son, the Count of Paris, February 24, 1848, and retired 
to England, where he died, August 26, 1850. 

LOUIS-PHILIPPE—Fifth duke d’Orleans, prince of * 
the blood royal of France, &c., was the lineal descendant 
of Philip, only brother of Louis XIV., and was born in 
1747. From his youth, he was systematically opposed to 
the court, and when the revolution broke out—to a great 
extent, by his instigation—he adopted its principles, and 
was called by the mob “ Philippe Ega^e,’* (equality Phil- 
v ip). As a member of the convention, he voted for the 
death of his unfortunate cousin and king. Suspected, 
however, on account of the very violence of his Jacobinism, 
to be only plotting for the throne, he was guillotined, No¬ 
vember 6, 1793. 

L’OUVERTTJRE, (Toussaint)—A negro general in the 
French service, was born a slave in San Domingo, in 
1743. When the French government emancipated the 
slaves, he applied himself to study, and when the French 
resolved to take possession of the whole island, he was 
capable of handling a regiment with great address. Gen. 
Laveaux made him a general of brigade, arid after many 
combats he drove the English and Spanish forces from 
the island, 1795. He died while confined in the fortress 
of Joux, in 1803, 

LOVER, (Samuel)—Was born in Dublin in 1797, and 
died in July, 1868. When young, he acquired some repu¬ 
tation as a painter of portraits ; but his ambition led him 
to be an author. “Handy Andy,” and “Legends and 
Stories of Ireland,” are from his pen. He published, 



SAMUEL LOVER 









































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► 


\ 














LU.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


181 


besides, dramas, metrical tales, and some poems. Lover 
was a witty, accurate, and able writer. 


LXJTHER, (Martin)—Celebrated head of the “Refor¬ 
mation,” was born at Eisleben, Saxony, in 1483. He 
studied at Eisenach, and in 1505 became an Augustinian 
friar, and soon after professor in the university of Wittem- 
burg. In 1517, Pope Leo X. having published some 
indulgences, the Dominicans were charged with their 
distribution in Germany. The Augustinians accused the 
Dominicans of abuse of the privilege, and Luther was 
appointed to declaim in opposition to them. He soon 
commenced, however, to attack the doctrine of indul¬ 
gences, and obtained many partisans. The pope sum¬ 
moned Luther to Rome, but in vain. The affair was then 
left to Cardinal Cajetan, papal legate at the diet of Augs¬ 
burg. Cajetan was unsuccessful in his efforts to reduce' 
Luther to submission, and protected by the elector of 
Saxony, the innovator now made open and violent attack 
upon most of the Catholic dogmas. Of the sacraments, 
he acknowledged only baptism and the eucharist. In 
1520, Pope Leo X. excommunicated the heresiarch, but he 
answered by burning the bull in public at Wittemberg. 
In 1521 he refused to retract at the diet of Worms, and 
was placed under the ban of the empire, and he sought re¬ 
fuge in Saxony. After nine months he issued from his re¬ 
treat, and recommencing his agitation, succeeded in gaining 
over to the “ reform ” the kings of Sweden and Denmark, 
the electors of Bran deburg, the Palatinate, and Hesse. In 
1523 the diet of Nuremburg, and in 1526 that of Spire, 
accorded toleration to the reformers; and the rest of 


182 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[ma. 


Luther’s life was spent principally in combatting the 
sects which constantly arose in the bosom of the new 
heresy. He died in 1546. 


M. 

MAC-AULEY, (Catherine)—Was born near Dublin, 
Ireland, in 1787. A woman of great devotion to the poor, 
she consecrated the best portion of her life to the foun¬ 
dation of a religious institute now entitled that of the 
“ Sisters of Mercy.” This congregation must not be con¬ 
founded with the famous “ Order of Mercy,” established 
in the thirteenth century by St. Peter Nolasco, for the re¬ 
lief of Christian slaves among the Moors ; yet it was from 
that noble order that Miss Mac-Auley adopted the desig¬ 
nation of her new institute. Her principal idea seems to 
have been that her associates and their successors should 
join the recollection and silence of the “ Carmelite ” with 
the active zeal of a “ Sister of Charity.” She died in 
1841, having the satisfaction of knowing that her spiritual 
children were scattered far and wide, doing good to 
humanity and promoting the glory of God. 

MAC-CARTHY, (Nicholas)—Celebrated pulpit orator, 
was born in 1769, at Dublin, and was son of an Irish no¬ 
ble who had settled in France. He was ordained in 1814, 
and in 1818 he joined the Jesuits, devoting himself en¬ 
tirely to preaching through France and Italy, especially in 
the Calvinist districts. He died at Annecy, in 1833. His 
elocution was rich, and his action vivid and impressive. 

MACDONALD, (Stephen)—Duke of Taranto, marshal 
of France, was born at Sedan, in 1765, of Irish parents 


ma.] compendium of biography. 183 

At the battle of Jemappes, 1792, he became colonel, and 
in 1795 he was made general of division for having taken 
the Dutch fleet while icebound in the Wahal. In 1798 he 
distinguished himself in Italy. For some years Napoleon 
kept him in inactivity for having defended Moreau. (See 
Moreau.) In 1809 he was restored to favor, and made 
marshal and duke of Taranto. In 1812 he commanded a 
corps during the German campaign, and during the year 
1814 held charge of the left wing of the army. He died 
in 1840. 

MADISON, (James)—President of the United States, 
was born at Montpellier, Virginia, in 1758. He participa¬ 
ted in the drawing up of the constitution, and in 1809 
became president. He declared war on England in 1812, 
and when re-elected the following year, continued the 
war until the peace of December, 1814. He died in 1836. 

• MAHOMET—Founder of the Mussulman religion, was 
born in 570, at Mecca. When only 14, he served in the 
army on the Syrian frontier, and did not return to Mecca 
till he was 25, when he married a rich widow called Ka- 
dicbah. For the next fifteeu years he led a life of quiet 
and study, during which he formed the project of uniting 
into one religion the various forms which divided Arabia. 
In 610 he commenced his task, by pretending to have, re¬ 
ceived from the Archangel Gabriel many divine truths for 
the guidance of men. He soon announced himself as the 
Prophet of God, but meeting with much opposition at 
Mecca, he fled to Yatrab, now called Medina, or “ city of 
the Prophet.” From this flight, or hegira (622), the Ma¬ 
hometans count their time. He now made use of arms to 


184 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [MA. 

propogate his doctrines, and in 630, after many victories, 
he conquered Mecca, but died shortly after, at Medina. 
The dogmas of Mahometanism are contained in the Koran. 
He taught the unity of God, the immortality of the soul, 
predestination, and a paradise of sensual pleasure. He 
allowed polygamy; but only four wives could be legitimate, 
the rest were coneubines. As a contrast to this piece of 
sensuality, he prohibited wine and every species of fer¬ 
mented liquor. He inculcated fatalism, that he might 
have, as an aid in battle, contempt of death. The precepts 
of the Koran are circumcision, prayer, fasting, ablutions, 
and alms. 

MAI, (Angelo)—An erudite Italian cardinal, was born 
at Schilpario, Lombardy, 1782. From his position in the 
Vatican library, Pope Pius VII. made him librarian, in 
1819. In that position he used his great advantages to 
the utmost, in a spirit of admirable patience and zeal, for 
the cause of learning. We owe to him the discovery of 
many ancient writings, for instance, the greater part of 
the Republic of Cicero, and some fragments of Roman 
law anterior to Justinian. He died in 1854. 

MAIMBOURG—An ecclesiastical historian, was born 
at Nancy, France, in 1620. He entered the Society of 
Jesus, and preached and taught for a while with success, 
but finally devoted himself to the composition of his¬ 
torical works. He was guilty of attacks on the Holy See, 
and Pope Innocent XI. was so displeased at his course, 
that he caused his exclusion from the society in 1682. 
Louis XIV. gave him a pension and a home at the abbey 
of Saint-Victor of Paris. He died in 1686. Maimbour^ 


RIA.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 185 

was erudite and used an interesting style, but he was not 
always exact. 

MAIMONIDES—Celebrated Jewish rabbi, was born 
at Cordova, in 1136, studied philosophy and medicine 
with success, and passing into Egypt, became first phy¬ 
sician to the Sultan Saladin. He left a great number of 
works on the Jewish faith, and on medicine and philo¬ 
sophy He died in 1204. 

MAINTENON, (Frances)—Marchioness de, was grand¬ 
daughter of Theodore d’Aubigne, and was born in the 
prison of Niort, where her parents were detained, in 
1635. Left an orphan when young, she adopted Catholi¬ 
cism definitively ; though her family had been ardent 
partisans of the Reform. Touched by N the abject distress 
in which she was living, the poet Scarron married her, 
though himself very old and infirm, that she might not be 
without a protector. Left a widow in 1660, poverty w r as 
again overtaking her, when Louis XIV. entrusted her 
with the education of the children of Mad. de Montespan. 
This brought the king very often into her society, and he 
very soon forgot de Montespan, and yielded his admira¬ 
tion to the superior influence and beauty of the governess. 
Upon the death of Queen Mary Theresa, Louis espoused 
Mad. de Maintenon. Her piety, good judgment, spirit, 
and beauty, caused her to ever retain the affections of 
the hitherto capricious monarch, and she had paramount 
influence during the remainder of his reign. In 1715, 
Louis died, and she retired to the religious establishment 
of St. Cyr, which she had founded for the education of 
the daughters of the poorer nobility. She died in 1719 


* 186 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [MA. 

MAISTRE, (Joseph)—Count de, celebrated writer, was 
born in Savoy, of French origin, in 1753. Previously hav¬ 
ing discharged many high trusts under Charles Emma¬ 
nuel of Sardinia, he was appointed ambassador of that 
prince to Russia, in 1803. When the Jesuits were expelled 
from Russia, in 1817, his known sympathy for that orga¬ 
nization caused his return home, and he was made regent 
of the chancery. He is best known for his warm advocacy 
of the temporal power of the pope, and for his general 
devotion to the Holy See. He died in 1821. 

MALDONADO.—Spanish Jesuit, born in 1534, was 
professor of philosophy and theology in the Clermont 
College at Paris, and at the University of Pont-a-Mous- 
son, but retired to Rome in 1575, where he died in 1583. 
His “ Commentaries on the Gospels” are much esteemed. 

MALEBRANCHE, (Nicholas)—Philosopher and theo¬ 
logian, was born at Paris, in 1638. Deformed and un¬ 
healthy, he leaned towards a life of quiet. So in 1660 he 
joined the Oratorians. He became an ardent admirer of 
Descartes, but while he kept the theory of his master on 
the nature of the soul and on brute creation, he did not 
admit his doctrine of innate ideas. He taught that all we 
see, we but see in God ; so that only by our union with 
the Omniscient Being do we know anything whatever. He 
proved the existence of bodies by revelation ; he was an 
optimist, and explained the existence of evil by God’s 
action as a universal cause ; morality he founded on the 
idea of order. Some of his writings were condemned at 
Rome. He died in 1715. 


MALESHERBES, (Christian William de)—Minister 


MA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 187 

under Louis XVI., was born at Paris, in 1721. On the 
accession of the young king, he was recalled from the 
exile into which the late monarch had sent him, and his 
arrival was hailed by the people and by the good-inten- 
tioned king as an omen of prosperity. He received the 
ministry of the interior ; but held office only one year, 
retiring with'Turgot, in 1776. He was again called to 
power in 1787. In 1794 he and his entire family were led 
to the guillotine. 

MALONE, (Edmund)—A very celebrated Irish critic, 
was born in Dublin, 1741, and died in 1812. For acumen, 
taste, and comment, he has been unrivaled as an editor 
of Shakespeare. He was the friend and associate of 
Burke, Johnson, and other celebrities. He belonged to 
the Malones whose leader was the great orator, statesman, 
and patriot, Anthony Malone, Prime-Sergeant in the reign 
of George II., and the rival of Chatham and Mansfield. 

MALTE-BRUN, (Conrad)—Danish geographer, was 
born in Jutland, in 1775. At first he was a poet and 
political writer, but his liberal ideas caused him to leave 
Denmark, iu 1796, and settle in Sweden. About 1800 he 
went to France, and was engaged as a political writer on 
the “Journal des Debats,” publishing at the same time 
some excellent works on geography, which gave a great 
impetus to that science. He died in 1826. 

MANCO-CAPAC—Founder of the empire of Peru, and 
chief of the race of Incas, about 1025, united some tribes - 
on the banks of lake Cusco, taught them to adore the sun, 
and built the city of Cusco. The Incas reigned over 
Peru until they were despoiled by Pizarro. 


188 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [mA. 

MANES.—Heresiarcli and founder of the Maniclieans, 
was born in Persia at the beginning of the third century, 
and educated by the heretic Terebinthus. He soon 
started ideas of his own, developed, however, from those 
of Zoroaster. He attributed creation to two principles ; 
one, which is essentially good, is God, spirit or light; the 
other, essentially bad, is the devil, matter or darkness. 
He rejected the Old Testament, regarded Christ as a pro¬ 
phet sent from God, and declared himself to be the Holy 
Ghost. He extended his doctrine into India and China, 
and converted Sapor I. of Persia, who afterwards-exiled 
him when he failed in an attempt to cure his son. He 
re-entered Persia under Hormisdas, but was put to death 
by Behram, the next king, about 274. 

MARAT, (John Paul)—French demagogue, was born 
at Geneva, in 1744, and went to Paris to practice medicine 
in about 1765. He obtained a post as veterinary surgeon 
in the stables of the Count d’ Artois (Charles X.,) and 
made a name by his writings on natural science. He 
embraced the ideas of the revolution, and about 1789 
commenced the journal, “Friend of the People,” in which 
he ventilated anarchical doctrines, and incited the mob 
to deeds of blood. He became the idol of the crowd, and 
as a member of the “committee of public safety,” had a 
chief part in the massacres of September 2 and 3, 1792, 
as well as in the condemnation of Louis XYI. As a mem¬ 
ber of the Convention, he suggested the creation of the 
“Revolutionary tribunal,” and the formation of a com¬ 
mittee for the arrest of the suspected . On June 1, 1793, 
the Convention sent him before the tribunal for having 
incited an insurrection; but the mob rescued him and led 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGUAPHY. 


189 


MA.] 

him in triumph back to his seat. On July 13 he was 
assassinated in his bath by Charlotte Corday, who thus 
thought to free her country from the tyranny under 
which it groaned. 

MARCHE, (James II. de Bourbon)—Count de la ; was 
taken by the Turks at the battle of Nicopolis, in 1396*. 
Paying a large ransom, he returned to France, joined 
the Burgundians against the Armagnacs, but was again 
captured and detained till 1412. He then espoused Jane 
II. of Naples and Sicily ; but not obtaining a share in the 
government, he imprisoned the queen, when the people 
arose and forced him to tly. He died at Besan£on, in 
1438. 

MARGARET OF ANJOU—Queen of England, was 
daughter of Rene, titular king of Sicily, and was educated 
at the court of France. In 1445 she married Henry VI. 
of England, and soon acquired an absolute control of 
the mind of the feeble king, and in reality was the ruler of 
the land. When the “ war of the roses ’’ commenced, she 
took part with the Lancasterian party, and though beaten 
at first, won a brilliant success at Wakefield, where the 
duke of York was killed. This prince being replaced by 
his son, under the name of Edward IV., the troops of 
Margaret were beaten at Towton, in 1461, and she fled 
to France. Warwick now changed from York to Lan¬ 
caster, and Margaret returned confidently to England ; 
but after the disastrous battle of Tewkesbury, she and 
her son fell into the hands of the enemy,, and she was 
confined in the Tower in London. By the mediation 
of Louis XI. of France, she was freed in 1475, and going 
jO France, there died in 1482. 


190 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [MA. 

MARIANA—A Spanish jesuit, was born at Talavera, 
in 1537, taught theology at Rome and Paris, but in 1574 
retired to Toledo, where he consecrated the rest of his 
days to historical composition. He left us some works 
of value on Spanish history. He died in 1624. 

MARIE DE MEDEGIS—Daughter of Francis I. of 
Tuscany, was born at Florence,'in 1573, and married 
Henry IV. of France, in 1600. She was suspected of 
causing the death of this monarch, and whether guilty or 
not, her haughty and obstinate character had rendered 
their union unhappy. Named regent during the mi¬ 
nority of the young Louis XIII., she made herself so 
obnoxious to the prince, that when he came of age, in 
1617, he forbade her the court. She took up arms, but 
with no success. Richelieu was at this time her friend, 
and succeeded in causing a kind of reconciliation ; but a 
few years afterwards he himself was forced to expel her 
from France. She finally died at Cologne, in 1642. 

MARIE ANTOINETTE—Queen of France, daughter 
of Maria Teresa of Austria, was born in 1755, and 
espoused the Duke de Berry, afterwards King Louis 
XVI., in 1770. She mounted the scaffold with religious 
resignation and queenly dignity, October 16, 1793. 

MARSHALL, (John)—An American statesman, born 
in Virginia, 1755, fought during the Revolution, began 
to practice law in 1782, was elected member of Congress 
in 1799, was appointed secretary of state by President 
Adams in 1800, and became chief-justice of the supreme 
court of the United States in 1801. After thirty-four 
years in the last office, he died in Philadelphia, 1835. 


ma. ] compendium of biography. 191 

MARY I.—Queen of England, was daughter of Henry 
VIII., and Catherine of Aragon, and born in 1515. She 
had been raised away from the court, and was living in 
a kind of exile, when at the death of her half brother, 
Edward VI., her claims to the throne were agitated. 
The Lady Jane Grey, great-grandchild of Henry VII., 
claimed the throne at the instigation of the ambitious 
duke of Northumberland, who had married his son, 
the duke of Guilford, to the princess, and who now 
hoped to perpetuate his own power by her eleva¬ 
tion. Mary conquered, and not only put Northumber- 
land and his son to death, but caused Jane to be exe¬ 
cuted also, though she was but 17 years of age, and had 
acted against her will. This was not the only one of 
Mary’s cruelties. Following up the spirit of her father, 
and foreshadowing the crimes of Elizabeth, she yielded 
to the bloody ideas of the day, and caused religious per¬ 
secution to be rife in England. She re-established 
Catholicism, and married Philip II. of Spain ; this latter 
event brought happiness to neither party, as Philip stayed 
in England but a short time, not caring for an empty 
honor, and still less for his wife. Mary died in 1558, 
without children, and the throne went to Elizabeth, her 
half-sister. 

MARY II.—Queen of England, was daughter of James 

ll. , by his first wife, Anne Hyde, and born in 1662. At 
the age of 15, she married the prince of Orange, and 
when her father was dethroned, she did not hesitate in 
sharing the crown with the prince, called from that time 
William IV. She died in 1695. 


1J2 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [MA. 

MARY STUART—Queen of France and Scotland, 
was daughter of Janies Y. of Scotland, by Mary of Lor¬ 
raine, and born in 1542. , She married the dauphin, 
afterwards Francis II. of France, in 1568. After only 
eighteen months of marriage she was a widow, and 
returned to Scotland. She was a zealous Catholic, and 
most of her subjects were fanatical Protestants. Over¬ 
come by the beauty of her cousin Darnley, she gave him 
her hand in 1565; but the native tyranny and ambition of 
the prince, combined with the murder of Rizzio, executed 
directly under her eyes, caused her affection to cool. 
Shortly after this murder, Darnley was blown up, together 
with his residence, and Mary was accused of having in¬ 
stigated the crime. Three months after this tragedy, she 
was forced to marry the earl of Both well. Murray, her 
natural brother, now seized the queen, and confined her 
at Lochleven ; but she managed to escape to England, and 
claimed the protection of Elizabeth. This princess threw 
her into prison, and there kept her for eighteen years ; 
only freeing her at last by the headsman's axe, on a charge 
of having conspired against her crown. Mary met her 
fate in 1586, heroically and resignedly, protesting her in¬ 
nocence of the crimes with which she had been so persist¬ 
ently charged. From her union with Darnley, Mary had 
a son, James, who, under the title of James VI., reigned 
over Scotland after his mother’s death, and, under the 
designation of James I., ruled over England on the de¬ 
mise of Elizabeth. 

MARIA TERESA—Empress of Germany, was the 
daughter of the Emperor Charles VI., and born in 1717. 
She married Francis of Lorraine, in 1736. Her father, 


MA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGKAPHY. 193 

not having any male child, assured her the succession by 
the act called the “Pragmatic Sanction but when he 
died, in 1740, she saw herself surrounded by enemies. 
Frederick II. of Prussia invaded Silesia ; the elector of 
Bavaria, assisted by France, was crowned emperor as 
Charles VJI. Maria Teresa fled to Hungary, assembled 
the nobles, and presenting to them her little son, so en¬ 
listed their sympathies, that with one voice they cried out, 
“Let us die for our sovereign, Maria Teresa.” Assisted 
by England, she defeated the Bavarian elector in 1743, at 
Dettingen, and when he died, in 1745, she succeeded in 
having her husband elected emperor, as Francis I. In 
1756, Frederick of Prussia again invaded Silesia, and 
after-a seven years’war, finally annexed it to Prussia. 
Maria Teresa assisted in the iniquitous partition of 
Poland, in 1772, between Bussia, Austria, and Prussia. 
With this exception, her reign was one of justice. She 
died in 1780, and was succeeded by her son, Joseph II. 

MARY LOUISA — Empress of France, was daughter 
of Francis I., of Austria, and born in 1791. Napoleon I. 
demanded and received her hand in 1810, thinking thus 
to cement a union with Austria. She rendered Napoleon 
happy the following year by presenting him with a son 
and heir, who was saluted on his birth with the title 
“ King of Borne.” On the approach of the allied armies, 
in 1814, she abandoned Paris, though she was regent, and 
did nothing to save the emperor. When Napoleon was 
exiled to Elba, and her son was separated from her, she 
manifested naught but indifference ; and when the empe¬ 
ror made his daring return, in 1815, she publicly protested 
against it. As a reward for her docility, the congress, of 

9 


194 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ma, 

Vienna gave her the duchy of Parma, where she passed 
the rest of her days. Mary Louisa died in 1847. Her 
son by Napoleon was raised at the court of Austria, 
under the title of duke of Reichstadt, and died in 1832, 
a colonel of cavalry. 

MARLBOROUGH, (John Churchill, duke of)—An 
English general, was born in Devonshire, in‘1650. He 
made his first campaign under Conde and Turenne, in au 
English corps loaned by Charles II. to Louis XIV. for 
the war in Flanders. James II. loaded him with honors, 
but he sustained the prince of Orange when the revolu¬ 
tion broke out in 1688. In the war of the Spanish suc¬ 
cession, he was commander of the united armies of Eng¬ 
land and Holland, and forced the French to evacuate 
Spanish Holland. For this, he was made duke of Marl¬ 
borough. In 1704 he defeated, assisted by Eugene, the 
French and Bavarians, at Hochstett, and in 1706 beat 
Villeroi, at Ramillies. He gained a brilliant victory over 
Villars, at Malplaquet, in 1709, being again assisted by 
Eugene. Soon after this battle he fell into disgrace with 
Queen Anne, being accused by the tories of peculation and 
of unnecessarily prolonging the war. He died in 1722. 

MARMONT, (August)—Duke of Rugusa and marshal 
of France, was born at Chatillon on the Seine, in 1774. 
As an officer of artillery he was with Bonaparte at 
Toulon, and when that hero became head of the army 
of Italy, he placed Marmont on his staff. At the end of 
the campaign, he was made colonel, and soon general of 
brigade. At the passage of Mt. St. Bernard, he so com¬ 
manded the artillery as to win the thanks of Napoleon, 
and after the battle of Marengo, he became general of 


MA.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 195 

division. He overran Dalmatia, and for three years 
maintained himself in Ragusa against continued assaults 
of the Russians, although his army was comparatively 
small. It was from this fact he was entitled duke of 
Ragusa. After the battle of Wagram he pursued the 
Austrians, and beating them at Znaim, forced the Arch¬ 
duke Charles to a peace. He was made marshal on the 
field of battle. During the peninsular war, he greatly 
distinguished himself, but was seriously wounded at 
Arapiles, 1812. His wounds were not healed when he 
commanded a corps during the German campaign, and 
though again wounded, he covered the retreat of the 
main army, and hastened to Paris, on which another 
allied army was marching. On the 13th March, 1814, 
with an army decimated in numbers and weak on account 
of his forced marches, he gave battle on the heights of 
Belleville, but seeing success impossible, he retreated in 
good order on Essonne. He here negotiated with the 
provisional government and with the allies, and by his 
unauthorized treaty rendered inevitable the abdication of 
Napoleon. For this act he has often been accused of 
treason, but he constantly sought every occasion to de¬ 
monstrate his love for France. Under Louis XVIII. he 
was commander of the royal guard. Under Charles X. 
he endeavored to repress the tumults of July, 1830, but 
without success. Louis Philippe deprived him of his 
grade, and he supported his disgrace with dignity, resid¬ 
ing chiefly in Turkey and Hungary. He died at Venicfc, 
in 1852. 


MASANIELLO—A fisherman of Naples, was born in 
1622, at Amalfi. He placed himself at the head of the 


196 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, | MA. 

Neapolitans who naa revolted against the Duke d'Arcos, 
the viceroy, m 1647, and was recognized as governor. 
He was assassinated seven days after his triumph. 

MASINISSA—King of Massylia in Numidia, deserted 
the Carthaginian cause for the Roman, on account of 
Scipio’s generosity in sending to him without ransom a 
captive nephew. He was always an ally of Rome from 
that time, and in recompense, received part of the States 
of Carthage, and that part of Numidia which had be¬ 
longed to Syphax, whom he had helped to defeat. He 
died 149 B. C. 

MASSENA, (Andrew)—Prince of Essling and marshal 
of France, was born at Nice, Italy, in 1758. Enlisting in 
the French service when quite a boy, he rapidly advanced 
until 1795 found him general of division. During the 
conquest of Italy by Bonaparte, he took a glorious part 
in the principal actions and decided the battle of Rivoli. 
After having beaten the Russians at Zurich, he was sent 
again into Italy to oppose the Austrians, and with a few 
hundred soldiers he threw himself into Genoa, detaining 
the Austrian General Melas long enough to favor the 
irruption of Bonaparte and to prepare the victory of 
Marengo. In 1804 he was made marshal, and the follow¬ 
ing year was appointed commander of the army of Italy, 
and chased the Archduke Charles back into Germany. 
He commanded the fifth corps of the grand army in 1809, 
and decided the victory of Essling. From this time he 
did nothing remarkable. He died in 1817. 

MASSILLON, (John) —Great French preacher, was 
born at Hyeres, in 1663. He joined the Oratorians when 


***• i UUMPENDJLUM UJb BIOGRAPHY. 197 

quite young, and having taught some time, he took 
charge in 1696 of the seminary of St. Magloire in Paris. 
He soon acquired great distinction as a preacher, and in 
1717 he was appointed bishop of Clermont. He was 
chosen member of the academy in 1719, and passed the 
rest of his days in his diocese, w T here his charity and 
evangelical humility rendered him universally beloved. 
He died in 1742. The eloquence of Massillon was insin¬ 
uating and pathetic ; he had made a profound study of 
the human heart, and in all of his sermons he penetrates 
into the inmost thoughts of his hearers. 

MATTHEW, (Father)—Called the apostle of tempera,nee , 
was born in 1790, at Thomastown, Ireland. He studied 
at Maynooth, and was ordained in 1814. Joining the 
Capuchins, he soon attained a reputation for his influence 
among the w r orking classes. Profoundly realizing the 
evils entailed upon Ireland by drunkenness, he began in 
1838 to preach against this vice, and soon induced thou¬ 
sands to take the pledge. He had the same success in 
England and America. He died at Cork in 1856, vene¬ 
rated by Protestants as well as by Catholics. 

MATILDA, (Countess)—Sovereign of Tuscany and 
part of Lombardy, was the daughter of the Marquis 
Boniface II., and born in 1046. She was married to 
Godfrey the Hunchback, in 1063, but separated from him 
in a few years. She espoused Guelph Y. of Bavaria, in 
1089, but soon separated from this prince also. Con¬ 
stantly at war with the empire, she lost and retook in 
turn many places north of the Po. In the struggle be¬ 
tween Pope Gregory VII. and Henry IV. of Germany, 


198 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ME. 

she always sided with the Holy See. In 1102 she made 
a donation of all her territories to the .pope. Her death 
occurred in 1115. 

MAXIMILIAN—Archduke of Austria and emperor of 
Mexico, was born in 1832. As governor of Lombardy 
and Venice, he won the esteem of the Italians, though 
they naturally detested a foreign rule. Invited by a 
faction in Mexico to become emperor of that distracted 
country, he did so; but a counter revolution occurring, 
he was made prisoner and shot, in 1867. 

MAZAEIN, (Julius)—Cardinal, was bom at Pescina, 
Italy, in 1602. He was called to France in 1639 by 
Cardinal Richelieu, and two years afterwards received 
the cardinal’s hat himself. At the death of Richelieu, 
in 1642, he inherited that minister’s influence over Louis 
XVIII., and when the king died, Anne of Austria made 
him prime minister. The first years of his administration 
were signalized by the victories over the Spaniards at 
Rocroy, Nordlingen, and Lens. During the wars of the 
Fronde , the cardinal was obliged to leave France twice, 
but he finally conquered. In 1659 he concluded the 
peace of the Pyrenees, which ended the troubles with 
Spain. He died in 1671. Mazarin did not possess the 
vast genius of Richelieu, but he was cunning and an 
able diplomatist. He was a patron of the fine arts, and 
founded the public library in Paris which bears his 
name. 

MEAGHER, (Thomas Francis)—An Irish patriot, was 
born at Waterford, in 1824. About 1846 he became one 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


199 


ME.] 


of the leaders of the “ Young Ireland ” party, devoted to 
obtaining by force of arms the liberty of their country. 
They relied principally upon England’s being precipita¬ 
ted into a foreign war on account of the complications 
attending the revolutions all over the continent. When 
one by one England’s dangers, disappeared, the Irish 
saw the impossibility of success. So no blow was struck. 
Meagher, O’Brien, and others were arrested, tried, and 
condemned to death. The sentence was commuted, how¬ 
ever, to banishment, and Meagher was sent to Yan 
Dieman’s Land, from whence he escaped to the United 
States, in 1852. During the civil war, Meagher greatly 
distinguished himself as a general of the Irish Brigade. 
He was accidentally drowned in the Missouri, July 1, 
1867. 


MECBNAS—A favorite of Augustus, was a descendant 
of the ancient kings of Etruria. Having accompanied his 
master through all his campaigns, he refused all honors 
from him when he became emperor, saying it was enough 
to be his friend and companion. Nevertheless, he often 
administered the government during the absence of 
Augustus. His influence was always used in favor of 
men of letters. It was through him that such men as 
Virgil and Horace were encouraged. 


MEHEMET-ALI—Viceroy of Egypt, was born in Rou- 

* 

melia, in 1769. He distinguished himself against the 
French at Aboukir, in 1799. About 1808 he expelled the 
Turks from Egypt, having leagued himself with the 
Mamelukes. Proclaiming himself viceroy, he endeavored 
to conciliate the Mamelukes, but finding it impossible, 


200 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[me. 


he excited a general revolt all over Egypt against them, 
and on the 1st of March, 1811, they were all massacred. 
Mehemet now passed into Arabia, and after a six years* 
war, exterminated the Wahabites and subdued nearly a 
third of the country. When the Greeks revolted against 
Turkey, in 1821, he aided the sultan with a fleet of 16$ 
sail, and sent his son, Ibrahim Pacha, with an army into 
the peninsula. His fleet was annihilated at Navarino, 
in 1827, by the combined fleets of England, France, and 
Russia. Demanding of Turkey, in 1831, the surrender 
of Syria, be was refused, and in the following year he 
subdued the entire country; and though the western 
powers forced him to pause in his march on Constanti¬ 
nople, he succeeded in obtaining Syria from the sultan 
by the treaty of Kutayeh, in 1833. The sultan Mahmoud 
withdrew this concession, in 1839, and Mehemet sent his 
son Ibrahim against the Turks. In a few months Ibra¬ 
him had gained the decisive battle of Nezib, but again 
England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia interfered. Mehe¬ 
met was forced to give up Syria, Candia, and his con¬ 
quests in Arabia; but as compensation, the post of viceroy 
of Egypt was made hereditary in his family. He died 
in 1849. 

MELANCTHON, (Philip)—One of the heads of the 
reformation, was born at Bretten, in 1497. In 1518 he 
taught Greek at the university of Witteinberg, where 
Luther was professor of theology. Although he was as 
moderate as Luther was violent, yet they became intimate 
friends and co-operated in the reform. Melancthon, 
however, played the part rather of a conciliator than an 
innovator. In 1530 he drew up the famous “ Confession 


ME.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 201 

of Augsburg,” and in it inserted some articles tending 
to effect a reconcilation, but they were not accepted. 
He also sent to Francis I. of France a conciliatory me¬ 
morial, but its only result was to estrange the fanatics 
of his party. He died in 1560. 

MESMER, (Francis)—A German physician and author 
of the doctrine of animal magnetism, was born in 1734, 
at Itymang. In 1766 he published an essay in which 
he sustained the existence of a subtle fluid, by medium 
of which the celestial bodies work upon animated. He 
soon commenced to use mineral magnetism for the cure 
of diseases, applying magnets to the afflicted parts ; then 
he declared that the application of the hand would pro¬ 
duce the desired result. This he entitled animal magne¬ 
tism. Going to Paris in 1778, he commenced to practice 
with great success, and the government appointed, in 
1784, a commission of physicians, natural philosophers, 
etc., to investigate his theory. Among the members were 
Franklin, Lavoisier, Bailly, and Jussieu. With the ex¬ 
ception of Jussieu, the commission declared that Mesmer 
produced most surprising cures, but they were the result 
of imagination. Jussieu in his report was much more 
favorable to the innovator. Mesmer died in 1815. 

METTERNICH—Prince, and Austrian statesman, was 
born at Coblentz, in 1773. He married the grand¬ 
daughter of Kaunitz, in 1794, and attracted the notice 
of the emperor Francis II. at the congress of Rastadt, 
where he acted as a secretary. He became ambassador 
to Napoleon in 1806, and captivating the confidence of 
the emperor, hid from him the intentions of Austria until 


202 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[MI. 


the very moment of her declaration of war, 1809. When 
Napoleon had conquered, Metternich conceived the idea 
of the marriage with Mary Louisa ; he nevertheless again 
counseled Austria to join Russia and Prussia in another 
coalition, 1813. He presided at the congress of Vienna. 
Up to the revolution of 1848 he was nearly always min¬ 
ister of foreign affairs, but from that time led a retired 
life. 

MEZZOFANTI, (Joseph) — Cardinal, was born at 
Bologna, in 1774. At first he was a librarian of the uni¬ 
versity of his native city, but he came to Rome about 
1833, and was appointed first perfect of the Vatican 
library. In 1738 he was elevated to the cardinalate. 
Mezzofanti was one of the most extraordinary linguists 
that ever lived. He knew more than forty languages, 
and of that number he spoke familiarly twenty. He died 
in 1849. 

MICHAUD, (Joseph)—French historian, was born at 
Albens, in 1767. In 1795 he was condemned to death 
for certain royalist articles in a daily journal over which 
he presided ; but he managed to conceal himself, and the 
sentence was revoked the next year. His best work is a 
“ History of the Crusades.” He died in 1839. 

MICHAEL ANGELO—Italian painter, sculptor, and 
architect, was born in Tuscany, in 1474. At the age of 
15, he left his masters, the brothers Ghirlandajo, who 
were considered the best artists of the time, they saying 
he excelled them already. Lorenzo, duke of Tuscany, 
now gave him apartments in his palace, where he re¬ 
mained at work until his protector’s death, when he 


MI.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 203 

accepted the invitation of Pope Julius II. to reside at 
Rome, where he died, in 1563. As a painter, Michael 
Angelo’s principal works are the “Last Judgment;"’ in 
the Sixtine chapel, and the “ Holy Family,” at Florence. 
As a sculptor, he immortalized his name by the mauso¬ 
leum of Julius II., and his colossal statue of Moses. As 
an architect, to mention his dome of St. Peter’s, at Rome, 
is sufficient in his praise. 

MILL, (John Stuart)—An eminent English economist 
and philosopher, of Scottish descent, was born at Lon¬ 
don, 1806, and died 1873, leaving many profound works 
to his countrymen. 

MILTON, (John)—Famous English poet, was born at 
London, in 1608. The early part of his life was spent in 
study and travel. He commenced to write about 1640, 
and took an active part by pamphleteering in the civil 
war. An ardent Cromwellian, he was arrested on the 
return of Charles II., but was released in two months. 
He now spent his time up to his death, in 1674, in writing. 
His principal poems are “ Paradise Lost,” a fairy play 
called “Comus,” and “Allegro and Penseroso.” The 
best critics, of every country regard “Paradise Lost” as 
one of the most sublime productions of human genius, 
though it only brought the author $150. 

MIRABEAU, (Honore)—Count, greatest orator of the 
French revolution, was born at Bignon, in 1709. Elected 
to the States General by the city of Aix, in 1789, he soon 
excelled all the orators, and became the centre around 
which rallied the most illustrious in the popular branch of 
the assembly. Having shown himself a zealous reformer, 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


204 


[mo. 


he now drew nearer to the throne, which made him lose 
much of his popularity. He died in 1791. 

MIRANDA, (Francis')—A Venezuelan general, was 
born at Caracas, in 1750. Having conspired against the 
Spanish rule, he was obliged to fly to France in 1791, 
where he took service under Dumouriez. When the 
latter deserted, he was arrested for complicity, but ac¬ 
quitted ; accused the second time as a Girondist, he was 
exiled. Returning to Venezuela, he raised an insurrec¬ 
tion against Spain in 1811, and organized a republican 
government at Caracas. After some success, he was 
finally captured and sent to Spain. He died in the prison 
of Cadiz, in 1816. 

MONTHOLON, (Charles)—Count, one of the most 
faithful followers of Napoleon I., was born at Paris, 1782. 
At the age of 15 he entered the cavalry, made the cam¬ 
paigns of Italy, Germany, and Poland, and by his intre¬ 
pidity gained a colonelcy when lie was only 20 years 
old. In 1809, Napoleon made him a private chamberlain, 
and during the Hundred Days his aid, with the rank of 
general of brigade. He accompanied the fallen emperor 
to St. Helena, and remained with him till he died. Mon- 
tholon was the depositary of Napoleon’s manuscripts, 
which, in 1823, he published under the title “ Memoires 
to serve, for a History of France under Napoleon.” In 
1840 he took part in the attempt of Louis Napoleon at 
Boulogne, and was arrested, but freed a few months after. 
He died in 1853. 


MONTALEMBERT, (Charles Forbes, Count de) — 
Celebrated French politician and writer, was born in 


M0 -] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 205 

1810. His beau-ideal of government was that of Eng¬ 
land, and during his entire career he endeavored to 
establish a. similar system in France. An aristocrat by 
instinct, he was yet very liberal in his views. He 
lived a devout and earnest Catholic, and died universally 
respected, in 1870. 

MONTECUCULLI, (Raymond)—Count, famous Italian 
general in the Austrian service, was born at Modena, in 
1608. His first campaign as a commander was against 
the Swedes, whom in 1641 he expelled from Bohemia. 
He was made marshal in 1657, and aided the kings of 
Denmark and Poland to repel the Swedes. He gained a 
decisive victory over the Turks, in 1664, at St. Gothard. 
In 1675 he was opposed to Turenne, but the latter per¬ 
ished just as the two great tacticians were about to try a 
decisive stroke. Montecuculli now retired to private life, 
and died in 1681. 

MONTESQUIEU, (Charles)—Baron, was born near 
Bordeaux, France, in 1689. He became parliamentary 
counsellor,. in 1714, but he devoted most of his life to 
writing. In 1726 he was received into the French 
Academy, and for about three years he traveled through 
Germany, Italy, and England, studying the customs and 
laws of these peoples. On his return, he published his 
“ Constructions on the Causes of the Greatness and the 
Fall of the Romans,” by which work France awoke to 
a consciousness of his genius. For twenty years he now 
labored a't his masterpiece, the “ Spirit of the Laws,” 
which appeared in 1748. This great work may be con¬ 
sidered as having had no model; indeed, as the author 
called it, it is a “child born of no mother.” In it are 


206 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[mo. 


passed in review the legislations of every known people ; 
and the author seeks their origin, whether it be in the 
genial nature of man, or in the local circumstances of 
each people. For precision of 'style, he rivals Tacitus. 
It is to be regretted that this work is pregnant with 
deism. Indeed, as a general thing, Montesquieu had little 
respect for sacred things. He died in 1755. 

MONTEZUMA — Emperor of Mexico, ascended the 
throne about 1502, and had vastly extended his dominion 
by conquest, when Cortez disembarked on the coast, in 
1519. The Spaniards were well received by him, but 
they seized his person under a charge of treachery. His 
subjects endeavored to release him by force, and he was 
wounded at the moment that he was advancing to per¬ 
suade them to submit. Refusing all aid and nourish¬ 
ment, he died, in 1520. 

MONTFAUCON, (Bernard)—A learned Benedictine, 
was born at Limoux, France, in 1655. At first a soldier, 
he became a Benedictine monk, in 1675. He soon became 
celebrated for his erudition, and devoted his life to writ¬ 
ing. He died at the abbey of St. Germain, in 1741. He 
has left us a “ Collection of the Greek Fathers a work 
on the “ Rise and Progress of Greek Literature an im¬ 
mense and justly valued work entitled “ Antiquity Ex¬ 
plained and Represented in Figures,” and a collection of 
“ Monuments of the French Monarchy.” 

MONTGOMERY, (Richard)—An Irish general in the 
American service, was born in 1737. He made his first 
campaigns in the British army during the French and 
Indian war. He then, at the conclusion of peace, settled 


MO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGEAPHT. 207 

in New York ; and at the outbreak of the revolution, 
entered the American army, and was sent to conquer the 
province of Canada, but was killed in front of Quebec, 
December 31, 1775. 

MOORE, (Thomas)—Celebrated Irish poet, was born 
at Dublin, in 1779. He studied at Trinity College, and 
commenced his literary career by publishing, in 1800, an 
English translation of the “ Odes of Anacreon/ In 1801 
he produced a collection of light poems imitated from 
Catullus, entitled “ Tom Little’s Poems,” on account of 
his own smallness of stature. He was sent by the gov¬ 
ernment as registrar to the Bermudas, and visited the 
United States in 1803. On his return home he published 
his “ Sketch of a Voyage beyond the Atlantic,” in which 
he amuses himself at the expense of the Americans. He 
gave out his beautiful and highly esteemed “ Irish Melo¬ 
dies” in 1810. He ridiculed English “ tourists,” in some 
letters purporting to be from a “ Fudge family in Paris,” 
in 1812. The work upon which principally rests his fame, 
* Lalla Rookh,” appeared in 1817. Moore also wrote some 
ine prose works, such as “Adventures of an Irish Gen- 
fleman in Search of a Religiona “Life of Sheridan,” 
and a “History of Ireland.” As a poet, Moore is one 
of the most brilliant colorists who have ever written ; he 
abounds also in grace and luxuriant imagination. He 
died in 1852. 

MORE, (Thomas)—Lord-high-chancellor of England, 
was born at London, in 1480. At first a lawyer, he 
entered parliament, and soon attracted the attention of 
Cardinal Wolsey, who introduced him to Henry VIII. 


208 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [MO. 

When the cardinal fell into disgrace, More received the 
great seal as chancellor. For two years he fulfilled his 
duties with zeal and disinterestedness ; but not ap¬ 
proving of the king’s Roman policy, he resigned his 
charge. Refusing to take the “oath of supremacy,’’ he 
was beheaded, in 1535. He died resigned and cheerful, 
and was witty to the last moment. 

MOREAU, (John Victor)—Celebrated French general, 
was born in 1763, at Morlaix. He gave up a judgeship at 
Rennes, in 1787, and entering the army arose to the rank 
of major, when he was transferred to the army of the 
north, under Dumouriez. In 1794, his talents had caused 
his promotion to a division. About a year after, he suc¬ 
ceeded Pichegru in the same army, as general in chief, 
and soon obtained the united commands of the armies of 
the Rhine and the Moselle. He hurled the enemy across 
the Rhine, and forced the Archduke Charles to fall back 
upon the Danube. /Pressed by immensely superior forces, 
he effected one of the most successful and orderly retreats 
recorded in military annals. Disgraced by the Directory, 
on suspicion of communicating with the exiled Pichegru, 
he retired from active service; but in 1799 was sent to 
Italy, where he saved the army at Novi. He again was 
sent to the Rhine in 1800, crossed the river, gained many 
battles, chased General Kray across the Danube, and 
finally decided the campaign by the victory of Hoehstadt. 
At the reopening of hostilities, he gained the brilliant 
victory of Hohenlinden over the Archduke John, Decem¬ 
ber 3, and would have immediately taken Vienna, had not 
the armistice of Steyer, followed by the peace of Lune- 
ville, ended the war. He was killed at Dresden, in 1813. 


MU.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGKAPHV. 209 

MORSE, (Samuel Finley Breese)—An American in¬ 
ventor, was born at Charlestown, Mass., 1791. On his 
return from Europe, in 1832, he broached the idea of 
an electric telegraph, and in 1835 he constructed an 
apparatus which worked over small distances. Congress 
voted thirty thousand dollars to build a line between 
Washington and Baltimore. Since the opening of that 
line the name of Morse has been crowned with immor¬ 
tality. He died in 1872. 

MOSHEIM, (John)—Protestant theologian and histo¬ 
rian, was born at Lubeck, Germany, in 1694. Greatly 
distinguished for his erudition, he was eagerly sought 
after by many princes. The duke of Brunswick gave 
him the chair of theology in the university of Helmstadt, 
in 1723, and he held it till 1747, when the elector of Han¬ 
over made him professor of theology and chancellor of 
the university of Gottingen. He died in 1755. 

MOZART. (Wolfgang)—Famous German composer, 
was born at Saltzburg, in 1756. He was but 7 years of 
age when he first played the organ in the chapel of Ver¬ 
sailles, and from that time he was regarded as the equal 
of the best masters. After having traveled over all 
Europe, he settled at Vienna, where he died, 1791. His 
principal work is his grand “Requiem” mass, which, as 
he himself had insinuated, was first played at his own 
funeral. He is also celebrated for “Don Juan,” and the 
“ Nuptials of Figaro.” 

MUNGO-PARK—A Scotch traveler, was born at Sel¬ 
kirk, in 1771. He was killed on his second journey to 
Africa, near Boussa, 1805. 


210 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[mu. 


MURILLO, (Bartolome Esteban)—A celebrated Span¬ 
ish painter, remarkable for the ease, splendor, richness, 
softness, originality, and truthfulness to nature displayed 
in his paintings, was born at Seville, 1618, and died, by 
falling from a scaffold, 1684. 


MURAT, (Joachim)—King of Naples, was the son of 
an inn-keeper, and born near Cahors, France, in 1771. 
He enlisted at the commencement of the revolution, 
served with distinction, and gained his grades rapidly, 
until he became at last general of division, in 1799. It 
was Murat who, with sixty grenadiers, dispersed the 
“Counsel of the Five Hundred,” November 10, 1799, 
thus making Napoleon sure of the supreme power. For 
recompense, Napoleon gave him the hand of his sister 
Caroline. When Napoleon became emperor, Murat 
was made marshal, and created a prince ; he greatly dis¬ 
tinguished himself at Austerlitz, and was made grand- 
duke of Berg. On the 1st August, 1808, Napoleon pro¬ 
claimed him king of Naples, and as such he reigned 
peaceably till 1812, when he took part in the Russian 
expedition as commander of the cavalry. In 1814 the 
allied powers confirmed his title to the crown of Naples, 
on condition that he would furnish a contingent against 
France. When he heard of Napoleon’s return from Elba, 
he invaded northern Italy, but was beaten by the Aus¬ 
trians at Tolentino, May 2, 1815. Flying to Corsica, he 
gathered together a number of partisans, and made sail 
for Naples. Separated by a tempest from his followers, 
he was thrown almost alone upon the coast, and was ar¬ 
rested and shot by order of Ferdinand I., October 13,1815. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


211 


NA.l 


N. 

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE—Emperor of France, was 
born at Ajaccio, Corsica, and was son of a Corsican noble, 
Charles Bonaparte, by Letitia Eamolino. At 15 years 
of age he entered the military school of Paris, and at 
16 he graduated as sub-lieutenant of artillery. For a 
long time he lived with his mother and sisters, at Mar¬ 
seilles, in extreme indigence ; at length an insurrection 
in that city advanced him to the rank of captain, in 1793, 
he having freely used his cannon against the mob. The 
same year he became colonel at the siege of Toulon, and 
so essential was the part he took in the capture of the 
town from the* English, that he was made general of 
brigade and commander of the artillery of the army of 
Italy. He was soon suspected by the Convention, and 
put on the retired list. He was about to enter the Turkish 
service, when he was attached to the department of war. 
When the populace of Paris arose against the Convention, 
October 5, 1795, he was chosen as second in command to 
Barras, and repressed the insurrection by the use of grape 
shot, killing over 1.200 men ; he was then made general 
of division. The following year he married Josephine, 
and received the command of the army of Italy, then 
beaten, disorganized, and without money. In a year he 
routed or annihilated five armies, each one larger than 
l^is own. He accorded peace by the treaty of Campo 
Formio, ceding Venice to Austria, and receiving for 
France the low countries and the right bank of the Bliine 
All the Milanese went also to France, and was called 
the Cisalpine Republic. Alarmed at his success and the 
popular enthusiasm, the Directory, in order to remove 


212 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[na. 


him to a distance, accepted, in 1798, the idea of Bonaparte 
to take Egypt, and thus have a basis from which to attack 
the English in India. On his route he took Malta, thanks 
to the pusillanimity of the knights and the treachery of 
the grand master. Landing in Egypt, he soon lost his 
fleet at Aboukir, at the hands of Nelson ; but pushing 
ahead, he soon conquered the entire land. He endea¬ 
vored to subdue Syria; but was obliged to desist, owing 
to the pest and hunger. Leaving the army in the com¬ 
mand of Kleber, he managed to avoid the English 
cruisers, and arrived unexpectedly in Paris. He now 
became the centre of all who were discontented with the 
Directory. Aided by his brother Lucien, by Sieyes, and 
Leclerc, he overthrew the government on November 9, 
1799, and made himself first consul for ten years. He 
now crossed the Alps, gained Marengo and other buttles, 
while Moreau conquered at Hohenlinden. The peace of 
Luneville with Austria, and that of Amiens with England, 
ended this second war of the revolution. Napoleon now 
turned his attention to the interior of France ; he put an 
end to factions, pacified the Yendeans, recalled the emi¬ 
grated nobles, opened the churches, made a concordat with 
the pope, reorganized the various governmental depart¬ 
ments, opened the bank of France, and caused to be made 
a complete revision of the civil code. In 1804, the senate, 
which in 1802 had made him consul for life, proclaimed 
him emperor. He was crowned by Pope Pius VII., under 
the name of Napoleon, December 2, the same year ; in 
1805, he was also crowned at Milan as king of Italy. 
Towards the end of 1803, England had reopened hostili¬ 
ties. In 1805, Austria, Russia, and Naples did the same. 
The French fleet was destroyed by Nelson, at Trafalgar: 


NA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 213 

but Napoleon more than compensated France by becom¬ 
ing master of Ulm and Vienna, and by his^ crushing 
victory at Austerlitz. The peace of Presburg terminated 
the war, and gave to France the states of Venice, to Louis 
Napoleon the crown of Holland, to Joseph Napoleon the 
crown of Naples, to Prince Murat the grand-duchy of 
Berg. Napoleon now founded the confederation of the 
Bhine, the empire of Germany ceased, and thus ended 
the. third coalition against France. In 1806, helped by 
English subsidies and by Bussian troops, Prussia again 
tried the fortune of war, but in two campaigns Napoleon 
nearly destroyed his enemies. In the first, against Prussia, 
he won the sanguinary battles of Jena and Auerstadt ; 
in the other, against Bussia, he conquered at Eylau and 
Friedland. The peace of Tilsitt took from Prussia one 
half her territory, and thus gave to Jerome Napoleon the 
crown of Westphalia, changed Saxony into a kingdom, 
and of Prussian Poland made the grand-duchy of War¬ 
saw. Thus terminated the fourth coalition against 
France. In 1806 the French occupied Tuscany ; and in 
1807 Portugal was invaded. Charles VI. of Spain came 
to Bayonne with his sons to make Napoleon an arbitrator 
in their domestic disputes ; but the affair ended in their 
being made prisoners, and in Joseph Napoleon obtaining 
the crown of Spain in exchange for that of Naples, which 
was given to Murat. But Spain resisted, and aided by 
a powerful English army, she, after five years of struggle, 
freed her soil of the French. While the Spanish war 
was at its height, in 1809, England excited Austria and 
Prussia to a fifth coalition; but again Napoleon triumphed. 
In six months he gained the battles of Abensberg, Eck- 
muhl, and Batisbonne, bombarded and took Vienna, won 


214 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [NA. 

the decisive victory of Wagram, took from Austria all the 
Illyrian provinces, and obtained the hand of the Arch¬ 
duchess Mary Louisa. So ended the fifth coalition against 
France. But about this time troubles commenced to 
gather around Napoleon; Fouche, Bernadotte, and many 
others whose fortunes he had created, deserted him ; and 
Pope Pius VII., whose states he had annexed, excommuni¬ 
cated him. Nevertheless, he hesitated not to invade 
Russia. With 450,000 men he crossed the Niemen ; took 
Vilna and Smolensk, defeated Koutousof at Borodino, and 
entered Moscow, September 14, 1812. The Russians quit¬ 
ted the city, having first fired it at many points. In about 
a month, the cold forced the emperor to retreat, and 
between the snow, cold, and attacks of the Cossacks, his 
army was, upon its return, but a mere fragment of worn- 
out men. The magical power of Napoleon never showed 
itself so plainly as now ; by enchantment, as it were, he 
created new resources, and opened the campaign of 1813 
by the victories of Lutzen, Bautzen, and Wurtchen. But 
Austria and Sweden now joined Russia and Prussia, and 
were soon followed by Bavaria and Saxony. Napoleon 
lost the battle of Leipsic, October 18 and 19, and he was 
forced back into France. The invading armies were 
checked, however, at Brienne and Rothiere, beaten at 
Champaubert, Montmirail; and the emperor, turning 
around upon them as they were taken between himself 
and the capital, would probably have conquered, but 
Marmont threw open the gates of Paris to the allies, 
March 31, 1814. Seeing all lost, Napoleon abdicated four 
days after at Fontainebleau, and was sent to the island 
of Elba with all the rights of a sovereign, while Louis 
XVIII. mounted the throne of France. In less than a 


NA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 215 

year Napoleon escaped from Elba, and with a few devoted 
adherents landed at Cannes, March 1, 1815. One by one 
the different bodies of troops sent against him joined his 
standard, and when he arrived in Paris, the king and 
court were already across the frontier. The coalition 
was now renewed; but Napoleon immediately took the 
offensive, and defeated the Prussians at Ligny, June 16. 
On the 18th he fought his last battle at Waterloo, against 
Wellington and Blucher, with a consummate skill and 
bravery; but betrayed by Bourmont, and disappointed by 
Grouchy, he was defeated, and then he fled into France. 
He now again abdicated in favor of his son, and repairing to 
the port of Rochefort, went aboard the English frigate 
JBeUerophon, demanding the hospitality of Great Britain. 
He was declared by the English cabinet a prisoner of the 
coalition, and the allies decreed he should be sent to St. 
Helena. Here he lived, surrounded by a few faithful 
servants, but vexed by the comtemptible t} T ranny of his 
jailor, Hudson Ijowe, until May 5, 1821. His remains 
were removed to France in 1840. 

NAPOLEON III., (Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte) 
—Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870, was bora 
of Louis Napoleon and Hortense de Beauharnais, in the 
Tuilleries, at Paris, April 20, 1808. Having passed his 
youth in exile, Napoleon laid claim to the throne of 
France. The Strasbourg attempt in 1836, and the Bou¬ 
logne attempt, in 1840, to enter France, were failures. 
He entered the National Assembly in June, 1848, was 
elected President in December, 1848, brought about a 
coup d’etat in December, 1849, and was proclaimed em¬ 
peror, by a plebiscite, in 1852. He carried on the Rus- 


COMPENDIUM OH DIOOEAPMi’, 






sian war, in 1854, tlie Austrian war, in 1859, the Mexi¬ 
can war, in 1862-63, and went down at Sedan, in the 
unparalleled disasters of the Franco-Prussian war, 1870. 
He died at Chiselhurst, England, 1873. 


NICHOLAS I.—Emperor of Russia, was third son of 
Paul I., and born in 1796. He received a complete edu¬ 
cation, especially in military science. Most of his reign 
was taken up with military operations, either against the 
Turks or Circassians. After the battle of Navarino, in 
1827, Turkey refused to fulfil previous treaties, and Russia 
compelled her by force of arms to sign a humiliating 
peace, by which she ceded to the conqueror several Asia¬ 
tic provinces, the southern mouths of the Danube, and a 
protectorate over the Danubian principalities. Nicholas 
repressed the Polish insurrection of 1830 in the most 
barbarous manner, withdrew the constitution of the land, 
and persecuted the Catholics in a spirit worthy of Nero. 
In 1833, having assisted Turkey against Mehemet-Ali, 
viceroy of Egypt, he obtained for the profit of Russia the 
closing of the Dardanelles to other nations. In 1816 
he crushed another Polish revolt, and suppressed the re¬ 
public of Cracow, which he handed over to Austria. It 
was only through his aid that, in 1819, Austria was en¬ 
abled to quell the formidable insurrection of Hungary. 
The Greek schismatics, as well as Roman Catholics, being 
subject to much annoyance in the Holy Land, Nicholas 
made this a pretext, in 1853, to wring from the Porte a 
treaty which permitted Russia to interfere in the internal 
affairs of the Ottoman empire. He suddenly occupied 
the principalities of the Danube, and destroyed the Tur¬ 
kish fleet at Sinoub. France and England tried in vain 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH * 


21 ? 


co effect an accommodation, and m 1854, together with 
Sardinia, they commenced the Crimean war. Nicholas 
lived long enough to hear of the check experienced by 
his army before SiJistria, of its defeat at the Alma, of 
the destruction of Bomarsund, and of the slow but sure 
progress of the siege of Sebastopol. He died in 1855. 

NEWTON, (Isaac)—English mathematician and na¬ 
tural scientist, was born at Woolstrop, Lincolnshire, in 
1642. He studied at Cambridge, and soon astonished 
his masters by his genius and discoveries. In 1687, the 
privileges of his university being encroached upon by 
James II., he was selected to defend them, and so well 
did he succeed that he was sent to parliament; but he did 
not distinguish himself in that sphere. He died in 1727. 
He was the inventor of the binomial theorem and infini¬ 
tesimal calculus ; he also gave the first notion of universal 
gravitation. Two of the sources of his fame were the 
decomposition of light and the discovery of the principal 
laws of optics. 

NEY, (Michael)—Marshal of France, was born at 
Sarre-Louis, in 1769. He enlisted at 18, and rose rapidly, 
until 1799 found him general of division, and as such he 
served in the armies of the Rhine and the Danube. In 
1804 he became marshal, and in 1805 gained the battle 
of Elehingen, which brought on the capitulation of Ulm. 
In 1806-07 he took Erfurt, Magdeburg, and Thorn. In 
Spain he subdued Galicia and Asturia; in Portugal he 
took Castel-Rodrigo and Almeida, and when the French 
army was hard pressed by immensely superior numbers, 
saved it by a masterly retreat—combatting foot by foot— 


218 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 


NO. 


from Lisbon to Miranda de Duero. The height of Nev’s 
fame was reached in 1812, during the Russian campaign ; 
at the battle of the Moskowa he performed prodigies of 
valor, and during the retreat he commanded the rear¬ 
guard. He took a principal part also in the campaigns 
of 1813-T4, and was one of those who advised Napoleon 
to abdicate. At the restoration of the Bourbons, Ney was 
made a peer of France, and when Napoleon landed from 
Elba, was sent with the principal part of the army to 
resist his advance. At Auxerre, however, he joined his 
old master with all his troops. After the final defeat 
of the emperor, Ney was tried for treason, and shot, 
December 7, 1815. His surname in the army was 
u bravest of the brave.” 


NIEBUHR, (Berthold)—A Danish historian, was born 
at Copenhagen, in 1776. He was employed a great part 
of His life in various administrative capacities by his 
government ; and in 1816 was made ambassador of 
Prussia to Rome, which post he held for eight years, 
profiting by his residence in the eternal city so much as 
to gather a large amount of valuable material for his 
works. He died at Bona, in 1813. He assisted Cardinal 
Mai in his publication of the “ Republic of Cicero,” but his 
principal work is a “ Roman History,” in which he pushes 
historical criticism to the very verge of absolute scepti¬ 
cism. The work, however, is full of erudition, and some 
of its analyses are very judicious and well conducted. 

NOGARET, (William de)—Chancellor of Philip IV. 
of France, was born towards the end of the thirteenth 
century. During the troubles between Pope Boniface 


NU.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 219 

VIII. and King Philip, he urged his master to extreme 
measures with the most violent animosity towards the 
pontiff. In 1303, aided by Prince Sciarra Colonna, he 
seized the venerable pope, in Anagni, and for four days 
kept him a prisoner, only freeing him when compelled to 
do so by an insurrection of the people. Nogaret after¬ 
wards implored absolution from the pontiff, but died 
miserably, in 1314. 

NOTTINGHAM, (Charles Howard) — Earl of, high 
admiral of England, was son of William Howard, earl of 
Effingham, and grandson of the second duke of Norfolk. 
He commanded the English fleet which in 1588 destroyed 
the Spanish armada; he then took Cadiz, and burned 
another Spanish fleet anchored in the harbor. Jealous 
of his fame, the earl of Essex sought to ruin him ; but 
when Essex himself was afterwards condemned, Howard 
revenged himself, it is thought, by preventing his petition 
for pardon from reaching Elizabeth. He died in 1624. 

NUMA POMPILIUS—Second king of Rome, was of 
Sabine origin. He was called to the throne about 714 
B. C. His reign was one of constant peace, and devoted 
to legislative enactments and‘religious institutions. He 
created the vestals, pontiffs, etc. ; regulated the Roman 
year, which he divided into twelve instead of ten months ; 
divided the people according to their avocations, and 
endeavored to obliterate all distinction between the 
Romans and Sabines. He died in 671 B. C. 



220 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[o’c. 


o. 

O’BEIRNE, (Thomas Lewis)—An Irish prelate, Prot¬ 
estant bishop of Meath, and a famous writer, was born 
1748, and died 1823. 

O’BRIEN, (William Smith)—Was born at Dromoland, 
in 1803. His studies were made at Cambridge. Al¬ 
though a Protestant and of an aristocratic family, he 
associated himself with O’Connell in the “ agitation move¬ 
ment.” Thinking, however, that force alone could free 
Ireland, he joined the “Young Ireland’’ party, and was 
arrested, in 1848. He was condemned to death, but his 
sentence was commuted to perpetual banishment, and 
in 1856 he was allowed to return to Ireland. He died 
in 1864. 

O’CAROLAN, (Turlogh)—An itinerant Irish harper 
and singer, born in the county Leitrim, Ireland, 1670, 
was the son of a poor farmer. He lost his sight in an 
attack of small-pox, and after his recovery roamed over 
the country, pouring out while on horseback, and accom¬ 
panied by a harper, the wild effusions of his minstrelsy. 
It is stated by critics of the first note, that his produc¬ 
tions were marked by a melancholy sublimity which no 
man has ever equaled, and that the intermingling of his 
melody with the wild music of the ancient Irish nation, 
produced a fairy charm never known before or after his 
time. He died in 1738, and has been reverenced as the 
Sybil of kis race. 

O’CARROLL, (David)—Archbishop of Cashel, a fam¬ 
ous tympanist and harper, was born of the royal family 


o’c.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 221 

of the O’Carrolls in Munster. He was elected to the see 
of Cashel in 1254, but Opposed by English influence. He 
was confirmed by the Holy See. Together with twenty 
tympanists, he fell in battle, 1319. 

O’CLERY, (Michael, Conary, and Peregrine)—Three 
brothers, natives of Donegal, who, with Florence Conroy, 
wrote the “Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland/’ from 
the earliest ages down to 1616, and have been known 
as the Four Masters. The work occupied them from 
January, 1632, to August, 1636. Michael O'Clery had, 
from 1620 to 1630, collected the materials for Colgan’s 
“ Lives of the Irish Saints.” 

O’CONNELL, (Daniel)—The “great agitator” of Ire¬ 
land, was born in the county of Kerry, in 17T5. His 
studies were made at St. Imar, France. When quite 
young he affiliated himself with the association for Irish 
independence, and was arrested in 1824. He was chosen 
member of the House of Commons in 1828, but refusing 
to take the “ test-oath,” he did not obtain his seat. He 
entered the house, however, in 1830, and there exercised 
a great influence. He became mayor of Dublin in 1841 ; 
but not contented with his success, he demanded the re¬ 
peal of the “union.’’ He was arrested and taken before 
the House of Lords, in 1844, and was triumphantly ac¬ 
quitted. He died on his way to Rome, in 1847, leaving 
his heart to the Eternal City. 

O’CONNOR, (Arthur)—A celebrated Irish general, 
who negotiated with the French General Hoche. Being 
a member of the United Irishmen, he was intrusted with 


222 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [oC. 

a secret mission to France, where he entered the French 
service, and became a general of division in 1804. He 
was born at Bandon, county Cork, 1767, and died 1852. 

O’CONNOR, (Feargus)—The leader of the English 
chartists, was born near Cork, Ireland, 1796. He was 
member of Parliament in 1832, and a thorough radical. 
In 1838 he held a national convention in London, which 
led to bloodshed at Newport, in 1839. He forwarded the 
Repeal movement, and was returned to Parliament for 
Nottingham in 1847. He held another convention after 
the French Revolution of 1848 ; but he became insane from 
disappointment and melancholy, in 1852, and died in 1855. 

OCTAVIUS -— Surnamed “ Augustus,” was grand¬ 
nephew of Julius Caesar, and born at Rome, in the year 63 
B. C. When Caesar was assassinated, he was studying 
at Athens. Hastening to Rome, he compelled Antony to 
restore the money which his grand-uncle had left him. 
Together with the consuls Hirtius and Pansa, he marched 
against Antony, but soon became reconciled with him, 
and gave him his own sister’s hand in marriage. The 
famous triumvirate was now formed, the year 43 B. C., 
between Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus. Determined 
to annihilate the republican faction, the young Caesar 
marched against Brutus and Cassius, and defeated them 
at Philippi. After the victory, Octavius dismissed Lepi¬ 
dus, assigned the East to Antony, and took up his own 
headquarters at Rome. Trouble soon broke out between 
the two rivals, and open war followed, ending with the 
defeat of Antony, at Actium, in 31 B. C. The conquered 
hero committed suicide at the court of Cleopatra, and 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


223 


o’h.] 


Octavius made of Egypt a Roman province. Returning 
to Rome in 29 B. C., the young Caesar re-established the 
monarchy, changing his name to “ Augustus.” His reign 
was one of justice and wisdom. The fine arts owed him 
much of their development, and to his patronage is due 
the success of such men as Virgil, Horace, and Livy. He 
died at Nola, 14 B. C. 

ODOACER—Conqueror of Italy, was son of a minister 
of Attila, and on the death of his father, in 4G5, became a 
common highwayman. He managed to enter the Roman 
army about the year 475, and in a few months headed a 
revolt against the feeble Emperor Augustulus. Succeed¬ 
ing in his struggle, he contented himself with the title of 
king of Italy. Beaten, however, by Theodoric, the Ostro¬ 
goth, in 493, he made a compact by virtue of which the 
two rivals were to rule conjointly. A few days afterwards 
he was assassinated. As a civil administrator, Odoacer 
was just, and therefore much beloved by his subjects. 

OECOLAMPADIUS—Born at Weinsberg, in Germany, 
in 1482, was one of the leaders of the Reformation. Com¬ 
batting with Luther, he joined the more radical Zwing- 
lius, and became a violent fanatic. He died in 1534. 

‘O’HALLORAN, (Sylvester)—The author of a “ Gen¬ 
eral History of Ireland,” and an “ Introduction to the 
History and Antiquities of Ireland,” was a surgeon of 
Limerick Hospital, born in 1728. He died in 1807. 

O’HARA, (James)—An Irish-American quartermaster- 
general under Wayne, was one of the founders of Pitts¬ 
burgh. He died in 1819. 


224 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [OR. 

O’KEEFE, (John)—The author of “ Wild Oats,” and 
“ The Agreeable Surprise,” was a Dublin dramatist, born 
in 1747. He died in 1833, and- left between sixty and 
seventy plays of a popular character. 

OLEARIUS, (Adam)—A celebrated court mathemati¬ 
cian, and librarian of the duke of Holstein, was born in 
Aschersleben, 1600, and died 1671. He traveled, and 
■wrote on Russia, Persia, and the East. There was a 
grandfather, son, and grandson of the same name, who 
were all Lutheran divines, distinguished scholars, and 
erudite writers. 

O’LEARY, (Arthur)—A distinguished Irish Catholic 
clergyman and controversial writer, was born in the 
county^ Cork, Ireland, 1729, and died 1802. He is re¬ 
markable for many witty sayings ; and his works, written 
in the purest classical English, display great logical 
power, and a broad Christian spirit. 

O’NEILL—King of Ulster, Ireland, reigned from 379 
to 402. Joining the Piets and Scots against the Romans, 
he contributed to expel the common enemy from the 
isles. He was assassinated by a rival prince, Eoch. 

O’REILLY, (Alexander) — An Irish general in the 
Spanish service, was born in 1735, and at first studied in 
Prance. Becoming a favorite of Charles III., of Spain, 
he received several important charges, but generally failed 
in achieving any success. He died in 1794. 

ORIGEN—Doctor of the Church, was born at Alexan¬ 
dria, Egypt, in 185. He took the place of St. Clement, 
in the school of Alexandria, and soon became notorious 


•OT.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGKAPHY. 225 

for rigorism. Ordained at Jerusalem, in 230, he soon had 
to defend the regularity of his ordination against a coun¬ 
cil summoned by Demetrius, bishop of Alexandria. Ex¬ 
communicated, and therefore interdicted, he did not offici¬ 
ate until the death of Demetrius. During the persecution 
of Decius, he was put to the torture, and underwent the 
ordeal like a man and a saint. He died in 253. 

ORLEANS, (Philip II., Duke of)—Was nephew of 
King Louis XIY. of France, and son of that monarch’s 
only brother, Philip. He was born in 1674, and unfortu¬ 
nately received his education under the superintendence 
of infamous and unscrupulous men. Endowed with bril¬ 
liant talents, he soon gave full reign to his ambition, and 
endeavored to support his cousin Philip de Bourbon on 
the throne of Spain. The generosity of Louis saved 
Orleans from death, and even made him regent of France, 
in 1715. Orleans was confirmed in power by Louis XV., 
in 1723, but he died a few months after. Asa prince, he 
•was probably one of the most corrupt and voluptuous 
that ever disgraced a throne. 

OS I US—Bishop of Cordova, was born in 256, and 
presided over the first general council of the Catholic 
Church, in 325, at Nice. He fell, repented, and died 358. 

OTHO I.— Emperor of Germany, was born in 912. 
Elected king in 936, he conquered Bohemia and Lorraine. 
He espoused Adelaide, widow of Lothaire, king of the 
Lombards, and thus obtained a footing in Italy. He de¬ 
posed Berengarius, king of Italy and had himself crowned 
as such in 961. The following year he became emperor ; 
and revolting against his benefactor, Pope John XII., he 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


226 


[PA. 


caused to be elected an- anti-pope, called Leo VIII. Ha 
died in 973. 

OVID—Latin poet, was born at Sulmoqa, in 43 B. C. 
When quite young he became intimate with the principal 
ornaments of the court of Augustus, and soon arose to 
fame. For many years he led a life of gaiety at the court; 
but when about 50 years old, he was banished to Pontus 
from some unknown cause. He there died in 17 A. D. 
As a poet, Ovid is monotonous, but yet graceful; as for 
his moral tone, it is at the least exceedingly loose. 

OXENSTEIRN, (Axel, Count)—A Swedish minister, 
was born in Upland, in 1583. He became prime minister 
of Gustavus Adolphus, in 1611, and when that king was 
killed at Lutzen, in 1632, he for two years headed the 
Protestant coalition, and after the battle of Nordlingen 
joined the French against Austria, and thus restored suc¬ 
cess to Sweden. He died in 1653. 


P. 

PACCA, (Cardinal)—Minister of Pope Pius VII., was 
born at Benevento, in 1756. He had filled many nuncia¬ 
tures, when he was made cardinal, in 1801. He drew up 
the bull of excommunication against Napoleon I. in 1809, 
and was confined in the fortress of Fenestrella when the 
pope was taken prisoner to France. Bejoining the pon¬ 
tiff at Fontainebleau in 1813, he induced him to abolish 
the concordat which had just been made with Napoleon. 
He died in 1844. 

PAINE, (Thomas)—An English writer, was born at 
Thetford, in 1737. He was successively a corset-maker, 


PA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 227 

custom-house officer, school teacher, politician, and writer. 
Emigrating to America at the time of the Revolution, he 
espoused the cause of the colonists with ardor, and after 
the achievement of their independence, he became secre¬ 
tary for foreign affairs. Reappearing in London about 
1791, he there published his work on the “Rights of 
Man, ,, and to avoid imprisonment therefor, fled to 
France. Although a foreigner, he was elected to the 
convention, and voted for the banishment, not the death, 
of Louis XYI. He returned to the United States about 
1795, and died in 1809. Paine was a shallow thinker, a 
sophistical argumentizer, and an enemy to all religion. 

PALAFOX, (Joseph)—A Spanish general, was born in 
1780. When King Charles IY. and his sons went to 
Bayonne, and were made prisoners by Napoleon, Palafox. 
was with them as an officer of the guard. Escaping, he 
incited Aragon to arms against the French, and was pro¬ 
claimed governor of Saragossa. He organized a most 
vigorous resistance, and after a siege of three months, 
forced the French to retire, August, 1808. Soon after, 
however, the French undertook another siege, and he 
fought not only street by street, but house by house. At 
length, he was forced to capitulate. February 20, 1809, 
and was taken to France. Re-entering Spain in 1814, he 
contributed to restore Ferdinand VII. to the throne, and 
by that monarch was made duke of Saragossa. The 
revolution of 1820, in which Palafox contended for con¬ 
stitutional monarchy, caused his disgrace by the arbitrary 
court. He retired to private life, and died in 1847. 

PALMERSTON, (Henry Temple)— Viscount; an Eng¬ 
lish statesman, was born at Broadlands, Southampton, 


228 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PA. 

in 1784. He studied at Harrow, Edinburgh, and at Cam¬ 
bridge. Although but 21 years of age, he entered parlia¬ 
ment in 1806. He was called in 1807 to the admiralty, 
and in 1809 became secretary of war. In his youth he 
was devoted to toryism, but in 1828 he became a liberal. 
Under the ministry of Earl Grey, Palmerston received the 
portfolio of the foreign office, and following the policy 
of Canning, succeeded in establishing the independence 
of Belgium. In the Spanish and Portuguese questions, 
he espoused the cause of the liberals, and by means of a 
treaty between England and France, secured the throne 
of Spain to Isabella, and that of Portugal to Dofta Maria. 
In 1835 his liberalism underwent a change. Although 
he blockaded the ports of Brazil, and guarded the coasts 
of Africa, that a check to the slave trade might be effectu¬ 
ally given, yet he resisted with severity, in 1837, the just 
complaints of Canada, and in 1840 pushed to extremes an 
unjust war against China. In the Eastern question he 
displayed a great amount of activity, and succeeded in 
forming an alliance between England, Turkey, Russia, 
and Austria, in July, 1840. This treaty was signed with 
an idea of foiling the Egyptian policy of Thiers, who 
encouraged the encroachments of the great pacha, Me- 
hemet-Ali. The plan was successful, and France wit¬ 
nessed with chagrin the increase of English influence in 
the East. In 1841 Palmerston resigned his portfolio, 
and acted in parliament as a leader of the opposition ; but 
in 1846 he again entered the cabinet as foreign minster. 
The revolutions of 1848 shook to their foundations all 
the thrones of the continent, and consolidated Palmer¬ 
ston’s party in power. The wily minister declared him¬ 
self the friend of the peoples, but also assumed the part 


PA.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


229 


of a benovelent protector of the monarchs. He recog¬ 
nized the revolution of Paris, encouraged those of Vienna 
and Berlin, applauded the reforms of Pope Pius IX. ; but 
he sustained Leopold against the liberals of Belgium, and 
sympathized with the conquering propensities of Charles 
Albert in Italy. Extending a hand to the revolutionists 
of Italy, he abandoned the patroits of Hungary.. This in¬ 
consistent and unscrupulous policy was suddenly checked 
by the expedition sent by the French republic to restore 
Pius IX. to his temporal power, in 1849. To recover his 
lost ground, Palmerston now endeavored to take a de¬ 
cisive attitude against the absolute governments of 
Europe, but with no great success; notably in the affair 
of the Portuguese Pacifico, on. account of whom he block¬ 
aded the ports *of Greece, and threatened a general 
European war, for the sum of $750. Without the ad¬ 
vice of his colleagues in the cabinet, Palmerston encour¬ 
aged the coup d'etat of Napoleon, and was succeeded in 
office by Granville. In the cabinet of Aberdeen, formed 
in December, 1852, Palmerston became secretary of the 
interior, and in that capacity gained the sympathy of the 
masses by his advocacy of reform. In March, 1855, he 
became first lord of the treasury and head of the cabinet. 
To sustain the “ equilibrium of Europe,” that is, the pre¬ 
ponderance of England, he opposed the union of the 
Danubian principalities, as well as the construction of the 
Suez canal. In 1858 he was forced to retire from office, 
on account of a vote of censure passed by parliament, in 
1857, against his Chinese policy, and on account of the 
difficulties presented by the Indian mutiny. The next 
year, however, the ministry of Lord Derby was dissolved, 
and Palmerston was recalled to his old post, with Bussell 


230 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PA. 

as foreign secretary. During the Italian revolution he 
showed himself constantly favorable to the unitary move¬ 
ment. He died in 1863. Palmerston was undoubtedly 
one of the first of modern English statesmen ; his per¬ 
ception was quick, and his execution of a plan was as 
daring as unscrupulous. Unlike Russell, he was never 
the head of a party—his force was in himself. 

PARSONS, (Robert)—An English Jesuit, was born in 
1546. Becoming a Catholic when quite young, he joined 
the Jesuits at Rome, and in 1579 was sent back to Eng¬ 
land as head of the Catholic missions. He died at Rome, 
about 1610, having been for twenty years rector of the 
English college in that city. 

PASCAL—Celebrated French geometrician and writer, 
was born at Clermont-Ferrand, in 1623. His education 
was conducted principally by his father, and so great was 
his inclination for geometrical investigation, that books 
were denied him, lest his health might suffer. He was a 
profound thinker, a great inventor, and died in 1662. 

PATRICK, (Saint)—The Apostle of the Irish nation, 
is the patron of Ireland. The Lives of St. Patrick 
which Michael O’Clery found in Ireland between 1620 
and 1630, were sent to Louvain, were published in Latin 
by Colgan, and have been translated by Mr. Hennessv, 
of the Catholic University, Dublin. The most valuable 
records of St. Patrick, are those compiled by Jocelin, in 
the twelfth century, and the work of Probus, in the 
seventh. St. Patrick was born at Bonaven Taberniae, 
in France, of Calphurnias, a Roman, and Conchessa, niece 
of St. Martin of Tours, in the year 372, and died at Down, 


PA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIO GRAPHS'. 231 

in Ireland, in 493. He was twice a captive in Ireland, 
but under the protecting hand of God was set free, and 
led back to his own country. He studied for the eccle¬ 
siastical state under St. Martin of Tours, in France, and 
was, afterwards, a canon of St. John Lateran’s church, in 
Rome. When Palladius had retired from Ireland to 
escape persecution, Pope Celestine sent St. Patrick, in 
the year 432, to preach Christianity in Ireland. A short 
time after his arrival in Ireland, St. Patrick, at the age 
of 60, accompanied by priests whom he had brought 
with him to Ireland, and natives whom he had converted, 
proceeded to the royal residence of King Leoghaire, 
(pronounced Lazy), at Tara, in Meath, and made many 
converts. During the remaining sixty years of his life, 
St. Patrick visited and converted all the provinces of 
Ireland. Ireland was Pagan when he landed ; it was 
gloriously Christian when he died. The Christianity of 
St. Patrick superadded and ingrafted the deposit of Rev¬ 
elation on the sublime natural Druidism of Ireland ; and, 
without obliterating, elevated it. Ireland’s natural vir¬ 
tues were brightened by the light of grace, so that, 
through many centuries, Ireland illumined Western Eu¬ 
rope, as the setting snn beautifies the western horizon. 
St. Patrick’s labors were innumerable, his virtues beyond 
description, and the result of his mission without a 
parallel. Dr. Manning, archbishop of Westminster, 
thinks that no one saint, with the exception of St. Paul, 
has done so much for .the Catholic Church, as St. Patrick, 
The Apostle of Ireland. 

PAUL (Saint)—Apostle of the Gentiles, was born in the 
second year of the Christian era, at Tarsus, a city whose 


232 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PA. 

inhabitants enjoyed the title of Roman citizens. His 
parents were Jews, and he was one of the foremost among 
the persecutors of the Christians. Being converted to 
the faith by an appearance of bur Saviour, who demanded 
of him the reason of his cruelty (see the Bible), he com¬ 
menced to preach the Gospel, and in that mission he 
traveled through Asia Minor and the Greeian peninsula. 
Returning to Jerusalem in 58, he was assaulted by the 
populaee, and was summoned by the High-Priest to 
answer the “accusations” against him. Felix, governor of 
Judea, confined him for two years in the prisons of 
Caesarea ; but having appealed to Rome, he was sent to 
the capital by Festus. Acquitted of the charges brought 
against him, Paul returned to the East, but came back to 
Rome in 64. At this time the Christian religion had so 
far advanced, even in the palace of the emperor, that the 
anger of the devotees of paganism could not contain 
itself,* and St. Paul became one of the glorious army of 
martyrs, in the year 66. The aniversary of his death is 
celebrated on the 29th June, and that of his conversion is 
honored on the 25th January. St. Paul has left us four¬ 
teen epistles, addressed from various dioceses through 
which he traveled. The “ Acts of the Apostles ” may be 
regarded as a kind of epitome of this great apostle’s 
career, as well as of that of St. Peter. 

PAUL OF THE CROSS, (Saint)—Founder of the 
congregation of the Passionists, was born in 1694, at 
Ovada, Italy. Ordained by Pope Benedict XIII., on June 
7, 1727, it is said that when the pontiff had completed the 
ceremony, he exclaimed “thanks to God”—a prognosti¬ 
cation, as it were, of the future career of the holy man. 


PA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. . 233 

The rules of his congregation were confirmed by Pope 
Benedict XIV. on May 15, 1741 ; and having signed his 
name, the pontiff exclaimed, “ this congregation of the 
Passion is the last to come into the world, but it should 
have been the first.’’ St. Paul died, October, 1775, and 
was canonized in 1867 by Pope Pius IX. 

PAUL III. (Alexander Farnese )—Pope from 1534 to 
1549, displayed much firmness in his relations with Henry 
VIII. of England, and even excommunicated that mon¬ 
arch on account of his schismatical actions. In 1538 he 
formed an alliance with the Venetian republic and the 
empire of Germany, against the Turks. The same year 
he acted as mediator between Charles V. of Germany, 
and King Francis I. of France, and succeeded in conclud¬ 
ing the “ truce of Nice.” In 1540 he gave the pontifical 
sanction to the “ Society of Jesus.” He summoned the 
Council of Trent in 1542. Perhaps the principal event 
of this great pontiff’s reign was the issue of the famous 
“ bull,” Coena Domini , so entitled on account of the man¬ 
date causing it to be read at Home every Hoty Thursday. 
By this “ bull’’ a general excommunication is pronounced 
against all heretics, and especially against all the enemies 
of the Holy See and of the clergy. 

PAUL I.—Emperor of Russia, was born in 1754. Un¬ 
til the death of his mother, Catherine II., he was sovereign 
only in name ; but when the empress was gathered to her 
fathers, in 1796, he signalized his accession to power by 
overthrowing the previous policy, and made himself a 
kind of champion of absolutism. He formed the second 
coalition against France, but suddenly changed to the 
lide of Napoleon, and prepared by this stroke of policy 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


234 


[PE. 


the peace of Luneville and the treaty of Amiens. He was 
assassinated in 1801. 

PAULINE BONAPARTE—Princess Borghese, second 
sister of Napoleon L, was born at Ajaccio, Corsica, in 
1780. She married General Leclerc in 1797, and when 
she became a widow, was created duchess of Guastalla. 
In 1803 she espoused the Prince Camillo Borghese, of 
Rome, but very soon left him, and retired to Neuilly, 
France. She had not agreed very well with her brother ; 
but after the disasters which sent him to Elba, she not 
only gave him all her diamonds, but accompanied him 
into his exile. When the emperor was sent to St. Helena, 
Pauline became reconciled with her husband, and lived 
with him till her death, in 1825. She was regarded by all 
as one of the most beautiful of women. Canova made 
her statue, and from it formed his great “Venus of 
Praxiteles.’’ 

PEDRO I—Emperor of Brazil, was born in the palace 
of Queluz, Portugal, in 1798. His father was at the time 
regent of Portugal, and when in 1807 the French at¬ 
tacked the peninsula, the royal family retired to Brazil, 
then a Portuguese colony. In 1822, Pedro was pro¬ 
claimed emperor of Brazil, but the death of his father, 
John VI., left him the crown of Portugal, in 1826. He 
abdicated the Portuguese throne in favor of his daughter 
Mary, leaving the regency in the hands of his brother 
Miguel. Scarcely had Pedro departed, when Miguel seized 
the throne. Endeavoring to re-establish his daughter 
upon the Portuguese throne, Pedro discontented the Bra¬ 
zilians, and his son was proclaimed emperor, under the 
title of Pedro II. Returning to Europe, the exiled 


PE.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


235 


monarch, managed to raise troops in France and England, 
and by their aid he placed the crown of Portugal upon the 
head of Mary, in 1833. Pedro died in the following year. 

PEEL, (Sir Robert)—An English statesman, was born 
in 1778, at Bury, in Lancashire. He entered the House 
of Commons, thanks to the influence and money of his 
father, when but 21 years of age. He took part at once 
with the tories. In 1812 he was made secretary for Ire¬ 
land, and by Lord Liverpool he was called, in 1822, to 
the ministry of the interior. On the death of Liverpool, 
he retired from office, but in 1828 he entered the cabinet 
of Wellington, and distinguished himself for his advo¬ 
cacy of the bill for the emancipation of the Catholics—a 
measure which hitherto he had withstood. The French 
revolution of 1830 caused the “ whigs” of England to 
triumph, and Peel lost his post. However, in 1841, he 
was charged by the crown to form a new cabinet, but his 
excessive measures against Ireland caused his retirement 
again in 1849. He was about to again occupy the seat of 
government, when he suddenly died in 1850. 

PELAGIUS—Famous heresiarch of the fifth century, 
was born in Great Britain, and became a monk when 
quite a young man. Going to Rome, he became ac¬ 
quainted with St. Augustine and many other learned men. 
His natural taste for argument led him astray, and he soon 
fell into the heresies of the time. His own speciality, 
if so it may be termed, was the idea that man, by his own 
free will—without any assistance from God—can abstain 
from sin. His theories were condemned by the two 
councils of Carthage, in 416 and 417, and by the council 
of Antioch, in 424. The ecumenical council of Ephesus 


286 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PE. 

gave the definitive judgment of the Church against 
Pelagianism in 431. Pelagius died in 433, but his heresy 
was sustained by many up to the sixth century. 

PENN, (William)—Founder of what is now called the 
State of Pennsylvania, was born at London, in 1644, and 
son of Sir William Penn, rear-admiral in the English 
marine. In his youth he became a “ Quaker,” and his in¬ 
consistent and intolerant father banished him from the 
ancestral home. Being of a rather logical turn of mind, 
young Penn thought that since the principle of authority 
had been ignored by his “ Protestant ” ancestors, he might 
as well strike out for himself. This resolution did not 
cost him much, because his revenue was $330,000 a 
year (in our currency ), besides a claim upon the Eng¬ 
lish treasury to the amount of $100,000. This latter sum 
he exchanged with the crown for the propriety and 
sovereignty of the district now denominated Pennsyl¬ 
vania. As an administrator, Penn was honest, espe¬ 
cially in his dealings with the Indians. He abolished 
slavery in his colony, and gave to the colonists a “ con¬ 
stitution,” which may be regarded as the basis of that of 
the United States. W T hen Penn returned to England he 
was well received by James II., and hence was displeasing 
to William of Orange, who deprived him of his govern¬ 
ment. In 1696, however, he recovered his position, and 
spent the remainder of his days in the interest of his 
colony. He died in 1718. 

PEPIN, (leBref)—King of the Franks, and first of 
the Carlovingian dynasty, was son of Charles Martel. 
Upon the death of his father, in 741, he obtained the rule 
of Burgundy and of Neustria, while his brother Carloman 







s 



PETER THE GREAT, 















































PE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 239 

received Suabia and Austrasia. When Carloman abdi¬ 
cated, in 747, he annexed Austrasia to his dominion. 
Deposing the feeble King Childeric III., in 752, he was 
proclaimed king of France. He died in 768, having 
divided his states between his sons Carloman and Charle¬ 
magne, and having confirmed the Holy See in the posses- 
Bion of Emilia and the Pentapolis, conquered from the 
Lombards. 

PERICLES—Was born at Athens about 495 B. C. 
His eloquence, and above all, his money, made him a 
leader of the mob, and he succeeded in banishing all his 
rivals, and became absolute ruler about 444 B. C. His 
administration was signalized by lavish expenditure for 
the obtaining of the smiles of the crowd, and by some 
slight successes against Sparta. He died in 432. 

PETER, (the Great)—Czar of Russia, and the great 
father of the Romanoff empire, was born at Moscow, the 
10th of June, 1672. His mother was Natalia, the second 
wife of Alexis. Peter began to reign as autocrat in 1689. 
He had received instruction from Le Fort, a native of 
Geneva, before his accession, and determined to intro¬ 
duce the civilization of western European countries. He 
began by reorganizing his army and constructing a navy. 
To encourage his subjects, he served as a soldier in the 
ranks, and also as a sailor in the' navy. Desirous of 
knowledge, and ambitious of power and pre-eminence, he 
visited in disguise the countries of western Europe, and 
worked as a shipwright at Saardam, Holland. He spent 
three months in England, 1698, and after an absence of 
seventeen months, returned to Moscow. On his return 


240 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[PE. 

he opened naval and military schools, caused the knowl¬ 
edge of western nations to be reproduced in the Russian 
language, disbanded the mutinous strelitzes (body-guards 
of the Czars), and punished his enemies. In 1703, he 
founded Saint Petersburg, and transferred the Senate to 
that city in 1713, and made it the capital, by removing 
thither the public offices and tribunals, in 1721. He 
waged many wars with the Turks, and ended a twenty- 
years’ war with the Swedes in 1721, having added to his 
dominions Livonia, Esthonia, Ingria, Carlia, and Yiborg. 
At the request of the Senate, he assumed the title of 
Peter, the Great. He next turned his attention to the 
internal affairs of his empire, and, after many improve¬ 
ments, died on the 8th of February, 1725. The poison¬ 
ing of his son Alexis will always remain a stain upon the 
character of Peter ; but the gigantic strides in progress 
made by the Sclavic races under his rule, have deservedly 
proclaimed him among nations as the Great. The solidi¬ 
fying of the semi-barbarous tribes through his vast do¬ 
minions in a compact, governmental, national, and religious 
system, has given birth to the desire of universal empire 
which is so ardently cherished by Cossacks in our day. 

PETION, (Alexander)—President of Hayti, a colored 
man, was born in 1770, at Port-au-Prince. As an adju¬ 
tant-general in the French army, he served against 
Toussaint, and when defeated in the defence of Fort 
Jacmel, he retired to France. Returning to Hayti, in 
1805, King Christopher conferred upon him the title and 
emoluments of governor of Port-au-Prince. In 1806 
Petion revolted against the royal authority, and succeeded 
in being proclaimed president of the new republic. His 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


241 


PH.] 

administration was productive of much good to his coun¬ 
try. He died in 1818. 

PETRARCH — Celebrated Italian poet, was born at 
Arezzo, in 1304. His father took him to Avignon, France, 
when he was quite’ young. Under the patronage of the 
pope, Benedict XII., he entered the priesthood, and 
devoted his life principally to poetical composition. In 
1341 he received from Pope Benedict the title of “ poet 
laurate,” and from the king of Naples he accepted the posi¬ 
tion of grand almoner. The duke of Parma gave him 
the benefice of archdeacon of that diocese. Charged by 
the people of Rome, in 1342, to influence Pope Clement 
VI. to re-establish the pontifical residence in the eternal 
city, he received about the same time many other im¬ 
portant commissions from various sovereigns of the period. 
He died in 1374. The principal works of Petrarch are 
sonnets and odes, graceful and sentimental in style, and 
not wanting in erudition. 

PHILIP II.—King of Macedonia, was born in 383 
B. C. Having escaped from Thebes, where he had been 
held as a hostage by Pelopidas, he seized the supreme 
power in his native land; first as guardian of his nephew, 
and afterwards as king. He organized a splendid and 
efficient army, and in it reduced to perfection the famous 
“ phalanx.” He re-established tranquillity in the interior ; 
and treating with Athens, aggrandized his dominion by 
the taking of Amphypolis and Pydna, and by the capture 
of the most important places of Illyria and Thrace. Turn¬ 
ing his perfidious policy against Greece, he found an able 

adversary in Demosthenes. Profiting by the divisions 

11 


242 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. fpH. 

caused by the “holy wars,” Philip seized Imbros and 
Lemnos, declared himself protector of Thessaly, and 
shortly after took Olynthia.. Putting an end to the holy 
wars, he caused himself to be admitted into the “ Amphyc- 
tionic Council ” in 346, and then again endeavored to 
deceive Greece, by turning his arms against Epirus and 
Thrace. Being forced into open war against the Greeks, 
he attempted the siege of Byzantium, but was com¬ 
pelled by Phocion to abandon the idea of its capture. 
However, he defeated the Thebans and Athenians in 338, 
at Cheronea. Keturning to his own land, he was prepar¬ 
ing a grand expedition against Persia, -when he was as¬ 
sassinated, in 336, by a Macedonian noble called Pausa- 
nias. Philip II. was as cunning as he was courageous, 
and was probably the deepest politician of antiquity. He 
was succeeded by his son Alexander the Great. 

PHILIP II., (“Augustus ”)—King of France, was son of 
Louis VII., and succeeded to the throne in 1180. By his 
marriage with Isabella of Hainaut, he received the county 
of Artois. He was very successful in his wars against the 
great vassals of the crown, especially against the duke of 
Burgundy and the count of Flanders. He gained many 
advantages over Henry II. of England, but upon the 
death of that prince in 1189, he allied himself with Rich¬ 
ard L, and joined the third crusade. Arrived in Sicily, 
the two kings disagreed; but yet Philip proceeded to 
Asia, and distinguished himself at St. Jean-d’Acre, in 
1191. Returning, however, suddenly to France, he was 
about to attack England, when the pope interfered: 
When Richard returned, open war broke out, but with 
little success for France. On the succession of John 


PH.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 243 

“ Lackland ” to the English throne, in 1199, Philip took 
the part of that king’s nephew, Arthur of Brittany, and 
when the young prince was assassinated, John was sum¬ 
moned to answer for the murder before the French king. 
Refusing to appear before his suzerain, John was con¬ 
demned by the peers of France, and lost in war all the 
English provinces he held in fief from the French crown. 
Philip now turned his arms against Flanders, and in this 
new war he had for adversaries, the duke of Flanders, 
the king of England, and the emperor of Germany. On 
the 27th July, 1214, he gained the decisive battle of 
Bouvines, and thus assured to France all his conquests. 
After this, his reign was one of peace, until his death in 
in 1223. Philip had been excommunicated in 1199 for 
the repudiation of his wife Ingelburga ; but taking her 
back two years after, he was restored to the communion 
of the Church. 

PHILIP IV., (le Bel )—King of France, was son of 
Philip III., and succeeded to the throne in 1285. By the 
treaty of Tarascon, in 1291, he terminated the war against 
Aragon, but soon engaged in the contest against Ed¬ 
ward I. of England, who had allied himself with Dam- 
pierre, count of Flanders. After many vicissitudes of 
fortune, the treaty of Montreuil caused the marriage 
of the son of the English king with Isabella, daughter 
of Philip, in 1299. At the same time, Philip joined 
Flanders to France. About this period commenced the 
violent disagreements between Philip and the supreme 
pontiff, Boniface VIII. Against the king were directed 
several decrees, but nothing being of avail against the 
royal determination to subordinate the spiritual to the 


244 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PH. 

temporal power, the pope was at last compelled to excom¬ 
municate the king, and to place the kingdom under a 
formal interdict. Philip resisted the pontifical ordinance, 
and even went so far as to cause to be burned the decree 
of the Holy See. In 1302 he convoked what were after¬ 
wards known as the ‘‘States General,” that he might 
unite the various orders of the kingdom (nobles, clergy, 
and people) against any who should interfere with the 
independence of the crown. In the midst of these 
troubles the Flemish revolted, and defeated the French 
at Courtray, 1302. Signing a treaty with the Flemish, 
Philip was now apparently free to act against the pontiff, 
and he even presumed to accuse the venerable Boniface 
of heresy. Excommunicated the second time, Philip sent 
against the pope the infamous Nogaret, who, with the aid 
of Sciarra Colonna, made of Boniface a prisoner ; but for 
only a few days, as the populace of Anagni released him. 
In 1304, Philip marched against the Flemish, and beat 
them in the battle of Mons-en-Puelle, according them 
afterwards an honorable peace. At the death of Pope 
Benedict XI., he caused to be nominated a French pope, 
Clement V., who took up his residence at Avignon. This 
pontiff abolished the corrupt organization of the Temp¬ 
lars, and Philip condemned to death its last grand-master, 
Molay. Under the rule of this monarch the coin of 
France was debased so much that the people entitled 
Philip the “ counterfeiter.” To replenish his treasury, 
he persecuted the^Jews, sold titles of nobility, and put 
up the office of tax-gatherer at public auction. He died 
in 1314. 


PHILIP II.—King of Spain, was son of Charles V., 


[PH. COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 245 

and born in 1527. In 1540 he became duke of Milan, 
and in 1554, by the abdication of his father, he atiained 
to the sovereignty of the Netherlands, of Naples, and of 
Sicily. Two years afterwards he became King of Spain. 
In 1554 he had married Mary of England, but without 
obtaining any authority over the English nation. During 
his entire reign, Philip combatted the progress of the 
** reformation/’ and he instigated his wife Mary to use the 
most violent measures against the English recusants. In 
the Netherlands his severity caused an insurrection. In 
France he sustained the “league,” and in Spain he was 
a powerful protector of the Inquisition. During the first 
years of his reign, Philip continued the war with France, 
and gained in 1557 the battle of St. Quentin; but not 
knowing how to profit by his success, he made peace in 
1559, and married the princess Elizabeth, daughter of 
Henry II. Having sent against England in 1588 a fleet 
of great strength, entitled by Spanish arrogance, “ An 
Invincible Armada,” he suffered the mortification of hear¬ 
ing of its destruction by storm. Encouraging for a long 
time the civil war in France, thinking that in the end he 
might obtain the French throne, Philip was at last com¬ 
pelled to sign the treaty of Veroins with the famous Henry 
IV., in 1598. He died, probably of mortification, the same 
year. Under Philip, the Spanish colonies of America and 
of India enriched the mother country with immense trea¬ 
sures in gold and silver; but the insane vanity of the 
unscrupulous and tyrannical sovereign caused all to be 
dissipated in his absurd attempts at “universal mon¬ 
archy.” In disposition, Philip was sombre and exceedingly 
suspicious. Nevertheless he encouraged the fine arts. 
The beautiful palace of the Escurial was built, if not 


Or EIOGP.APHY. 


coiirEXDiCii 


[rn. 


designed by him, and most of what Madrid has of note 
can be ascribed to his genius. 


PHILO, THE JEW.—A Platonic philosopher, was 
born at Alexandria, about the year 30 B. C. So great was 
the estimation in which he was held by his contempora¬ 
ries, that he was even during his lifetime entitled “the 
Jewish Plato.” About the year A. D. 40, the Jews of 
Alexandria sent him to demand of the Emperor Caligula 
the right of Roman citizenship, but the tyrant refused 
to even listen to the petition. The date of Philo’s death 
is unknown. As a writer, he distinguished himself in 
Hebrew theology, in history, and in philosophy. His 
principal works are those upon the “ Creation of the 
World, according to Moses,” and upon “ The World.” As 
a theologian, Philo explained the Bible by the allegorical 
system ; as a philosoper, he generally followed the ideas 
of Plato, and endeavored to reconcile them with the re¬ 
ligion of the Jews. He admitted two eternal principles, 
G-od and matter ; according to his theory, God is the prim¬ 
itive light, and from Him emanate all inferior intelli¬ 
gences as so many rays from the sun ; in God from all 
eternity are enclosed all our ideas, and from the col¬ 
lection of the sources of these ideas is formed our 
present world. This ideal world, Philo personified in the 
term Logos , or Son of God. 


PHOTIUS.—Patriarch of Constantinople, was born 
about 830, in that city. At first ambassador to Persia, he 
became first secretary to the Emperor Michael, and upon 
the deposition of the legitimate patriarch, Ignatius, he 
was advanced hurriedly through holy orders, and in- 


PI.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 247 

truded into the patriarchal see. Pope Nicholas I. excom¬ 
municated him at once, but he collected a number of 
bishops in the form of a council, and retorted upon the 
pontiff by a similar decree, 858. This is the origin of 
the “.Greek schism.” The Emperor Basil re-established 
Ignatius in his patriarchal jurisdiction, and Photius re¬ 
mained quiet until that prelate’s death, when he again 
assumed control-of ecclesiastical affairs. When the Em¬ 
peror Leo, “the philosopher,” ascended the throne, Pho¬ 
tius w as exiled to a monastery in Armenia, and there died 
in 891. Photius was a man of great erudition, and was 
possessed of a most subtle character. 

PICCOLOMINI, (Octavius) — Celebrated Italian gen¬ 
eral in the service of the German empire, was born at 
Sienna, in 1599. Having distinguished himself greatly 
in the intestine wars of his native land, he joined the 
Imperialists at the outbreak of the “ Thirty years’ war,” 
and after many actions of eclat , was appointed to the 
command of the corps which afterwards formed the right 
wing of the army, which, under Merci, was defeated by 
Conde, at Nordlingen, in 1645. He successfully defended 
the Netherlands against the French, and was made gen¬ 
eral-in-chief of the Spanish forces in that country. Re¬ 
called to Germany in 1648, with the title of marshal, he 
w r as soon made a prince of the empire and duke of 
Amalfi. He died in 1656. 

PICHEGRU, (Henry)—Famous French general, was 
born at Arbois, in 1761. He w T as a tutor in mathematics, 
at the college of Brienne, when young Bonaparte was a 
student therein. Enlisting as a volunteer at the outbreak 


248 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PL 

of the revolution, he rapidly advanced in rank, until at 
length he was appointed commander of the armies of the 
Moselle and the Rhine, 1793. - Placed soon afterwards at 
the head of the army of the North, he defeated the allied 
forces in eight pitched battles, and had conquered nearly 
all Holland, when he yielded to the seductive offers of the 
royalists, and allowed the Austrians to obtain some advan¬ 
tages over his army, Deprived of his command, he re¬ 
tired into private life; but being elected in 1797 a member 
of the “ Council of Five Hundred,” he placed himself at 
the head of the reactionary party, and was sentenced to 
transportation. Escaping into England, he entered into 
relations with Cadondal in a conspiracy against Bona¬ 
parte. In 1804 he secretly entered France, but was soon 
arrested and confined.in the Temple. In a few days he 
was found strangled in his cell, probably by his own hand, 
though some have thought that he was executed in this 
private manner by the order of the First Consul. 

PINDAR—Celebrated lyric poet of Greece, was born 
at Thebes, about 520 B. C. He devoted himself especially 
to dithyrambs , and to chants in honor of those who were 
victorious in the athletic games. His great protector was 
Alexander, son of Amyntas, king of Macedonia. Of all 
his compositions, we have only forty-five hymns , the chief 
characteristics of which are enthusiasm and brilliancy of 
style, combined with a monotony which is equaled in 
extent only by the obscurity of the ideas which the poet 
wished to convey. Pindar died in 456 B. C. 

PITT, (William)—First earl of Chatham, one of the 
Erst of English statesmen, was born at Westminster, in 


PI.] 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 


249 


1708. He followed the military career when a youth, but 
his weak health compelled him to leave the service. Ha 
entered parliament in 1735, and at once took a first place 
among the politicians of his time. Having been ap¬ 
pointed, in 1746, by George II. to the position of vice¬ 
treasurer of Ireland, he resigned his office that he might 
be more free to combat the party then in power. In 
1756, Pitt entered again into office with Fox and Lord 
Newcastle. This coalition is generally regarded as one 
of the most beneficial for the prosperity of England. 
Pitt assured success to the English arms on the continent 
and in America, and re-established the governmental 
credit; but on the accession of George III. he was forced 
to resign. Recalled to office in 1766, he received the title 
of earl of Chatham, and was entrusted with the forma¬ 
tion of a new ministry. He admitted into his cabinet 
only men of recognized ability, and reserved for himself 
merely the title of “ keeper of the seals.” Overcome by 
disease, he resigned in 1768, but during his apparent 
privacy, he never ceased to combat any measure which 
seemed to him incompatible with the national honor. 
He was upon the point of death in 1778, when he caused 
himself to be carried from his bed to the parliament that 
he might protest against the recognition of the independ¬ 
ence of the American colonies, then in revolt against the 
mother country. This effort cost him his life, May 11. 
As an orator, Pitt had in England only one rival, the 
great statesman, Fox. Pitt was not so vehement as was 
Fox, but in his style he was far more correct. 

PITT, (William)—Famous English minister of state, 
second son of the preceding, was born in 1759. He 


250 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PI. 

entered the house of commons in 1781, and was called 
to fill the functions of the chancellorship of the ex¬ 
chequer the next year. Entering into the ranks of the 
opposition in 1783, he was appointed almost immediately 
first lord of the treasury, that - is, prime minister of the 
kingdom. He commenced his administration by a kind 
of coup d'etat , crushing the hostile majority in parliament 
by pronouncing the dissolution of the assembly. • By 
able maneuvering, he obtained a favorable majority, 
calmed the public irritation, filled the treasury, and 
finally concluded the famous “ triple alliance” between 
England, Prussia, and Holland, against France (1788). 
Encouraging to his utmost the civil discord in France, he 
abstained from any interference with the fate of the un¬ 
fortunate Louis XVI., though entreated to use his influ¬ 
ence in that regard by Austria and Prussia. Deceiving 
the French republic, however, in 1793, he bent all his 
energies to the raising up of enemies against her; but in 
spite of all his ability, he could not impede the almost 
miraculous triumph of the French arms on the continent. 
At the same time, he had to contend against an Irish 
insurrection, and was forced by his ambition and preju¬ 
dice to contract an enormous debt in order to sustain the 
expenses of a general European war. After a contest of 
eight years, seeing himself abandoned by the powers who 
had signed the treaty of Luneville (1801), he retired from 
office, and was replaced by Addington, who concluded the 
peace of Amiens (1802). This peace being broken in a 
few months’ time, Pitt returned to office, and formed a 
third coalition against France. He had no more success 
than before—he lived long enough to hear of Austerlitz, 
and died in 180G. His entire ministerial career had been 


PI.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGEAPHY. 251 

devoted to the debasement of France; but at his death, 
that proud and heroic country was mistress of Europe. 
However, many though were his faults, Pitt was possessed 
of great governmental ability, and his sincere patriotism 
cannot be questioned. 

PIUS V. (Saint )—Michael Ghislieri , pope, was born at 
Bosco, Italy, in 1504. At first prior of the Dominicans, 
he was elected pope in 1565. Filled with zeal for the 
purity of religious doctrine, he was exceedingly sweet, 
however, in his personal deportment. He took part in 
the equipment of the fleet which gained the memorable 
victory of Lepanto, and died in 1572. 

PIUS YI.—Pope, was born in Cesena, in 1717, and was 
elected to the papal throne in 1775. The commencement 
of his reign was signalized by many grand enterprises, 
such as the draining of the Pontine marshes, the reopen¬ 
ing of the Appenine Way, &c.; but the troubles of the 
time put a sudden stop to the actuation of his spirit of 
reform. He was obliged to combat the aggressions of 
Joseph II. of Germany, and of Leopold I. of Tuscany, 
but above all the encroachments of the French revolution. 
He was forced by Bonaparte to sign the treaty of Tolen- 
tino in 1797, by which many provinces and some exceed¬ 
ingly valuable objects of art were taken from the Holy 
See. He was dragged from Borne in 1798, despite of his 
age and infirmities, and died finally at Valence, in 1799. 

PIUS VII.— Pope, was born at Cesena, in 1740. He 
joined the Benedictines when quite young, and in 1780 
was appointed bishop of Tivoli. Elected pope in 1800, 
he reorganized his states, and signed a concordat with 


252 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PL 

Bonaparte the following 3 r ear. In 1804 he went to Paris 
to consecrate Napoleon as emperor of France; but the 
aggressions of that monarch caused the venerable pontiff 
to excommunicate him in 1809. Taken by force from 
Rome, Pius YII. was conducted first to Savona, and then 
to Fontainebleau, where lie was held in captivity for many 
years. When the emperor had fallen, his family received 
from the generosity of Pope Pius YII. a welcome asylum 
in Rome. The death of this holy pontiff occurred in 
1823. 

PIUS YIII.—Pope, was born at Cingoli in 1761, and 
was elevated to the papacy in 1829. He died in the fol¬ 
lowing year. 

PIZARRO, (Francis)—Conqueror of Peru, was born 
at Truxillo, Spain, in 1475. A swine-herd in bis childhood, 
he embarked when yet a mere boy for the newly-dis¬ 
covered lands of America. Attracting the notice of Cortez, 
he gained some reputation among the Spanish adven¬ 
turers of the time, and was finally associated with Alma- 
gro in an expedition for the discovery of the famous 
“ golden regions ’’ of the South. From 1524 to 1527, he 
explored the country south of Panama, and having at 
length found the land of his hopes, Peru, he returned to 
Spain, and obtained from the crown the title of viceroy of 
the newly-acquired territory. In 1531 he entered Peril 
as a conqueror, treacherously captured the “ Inca” Ata- 
hualpa, and after exacting from him an exorbitant tribute, 
put him to death. In 1534 he founded the city of Lima, 
and in 1538, having disagreed with his companion Alma- 
gro, he came to an open rupture with him, and caused his 
decapitation. From this moment, the rule of Pizarro was 


PL.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 253 

more arbitrary than ever ; be divided the territory among 
his favorites, and reduced the original inhabitants into 
slavery. He was assassinated by one of his worthy com¬ 
rades in 1541. 

PLATO. — Celebrated Greek philosopher, was born 
about 430 B. C., at Athens, of one of the most illustrious 
families of that city. Having cultivated successfully the 
study of geometry and literature, he devoted himself 
especially to philosophy, and when about 20 years of 
age, attached himself to the school of Socrates. When 
his master died (400), he traveled through Italy and 
Egypt, observing all that was worthy of note in the way 
of science. Returning to Athens in 388, he opened the 
famous school entitled the “Academy,” and among his 
disciples are to be numbered Aristotle, Xenocrates, and 
Isocrates. His reputation for wisdom was so great that 
many governments of the time entreated him to undertake 
the management of their affairs, but he always persisted 
in leading a retired life. He died in 348 B. C. As the 
sources of all things, Plato admitted not only God and 
matter, but certain eternal models, according to which all 
beings are formed. These models he called ideas. These 
ideas alone have a real existence, all else being a copy of 
them. They reside in God, and are with Him substan¬ 
tially united. With Plato, this theory was the basis of 
all morality, politics, and art. In morality, he would have 
us realize the ideal of good, and by it become similar to 
God. In politics, he quite reasonably taught that true 
statesmanship was only morality actuated in the govern¬ 
ment of a State. In art, he inculcated the necessity of a 
constant presence of the ideal of the beautiful in the mind 


254 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PL. 

of the artist. As a psychologist, Plato defined the soul 
as a force acting of itself, and composed of three different 
parts : the reasonable, having its seat in the head ; tho 
unreasonable, residing in the inferior organs ; the iras¬ 
cible, or principle of the higher passions, occupying the 
heart. As a socialist, Plato advised a commonalty of 
wives, and wished children to be brought up at the ex¬ 
pense of the State, without ever knowing who were their 
parents. 

PLINY, (the Elder)—Was born at Verona, Italy, in 
23. He was successively governor of Spain, and prefect 
of the fleet of Misena. So indefatigable was his pursuit 
of scientific knowledge, that he studied even when at the 
bath or at table. When the famous eruption of Vesuvius 
occurred in 79, his yearning for knowledge caused him to 
approach a little too near the crater, and he died from 
suffocation. Of the works of Pliny, we possess only a 
“ Natural History,’’ divided into thirty-seven books. The 
first is a kind of index ; the second treats of astronomy 
and meteorology; the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth are 
devoted to geography; the next five discourse upon zo¬ 
ology; the following ten are given to botany and agricul¬ 
ture; the remaining books treat of medicine, metallurgy, 
and the fine arts. Pliny was a man of immense erudition, 
but all of his works give an evidence of haste in compo¬ 
sition, and of premature judgment; his style, however, is 
pure, methodical, and vigorous. 

✓ 

PLINY, (the Younger)—Nephew and adopted son of 
the preceding, was born at Como, in the year 62. He 
made his studies under Quintilian, and acquired a great 
reputation as a lawyer. He was appointed proconsul in 


PO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 255 

Bitliynia, and became quite beloved by the Christians in 
that province on account of his liberal tendencies. He 
enjoyed the friendship of the Emperor Trajan, and pro¬ 
bably on his account, that monarch displayed great leni¬ 
ency towards Christianity. Pliny died in 115, leaving a 
number of works, many of which have perished. We 
have, however, his “ Panegyric of Trajan,” and a collection 
of “ Letters,” which are elegant in style and full of spirit. 

PLUTARCH.—Famous biographer and moralist, was 
born in 48, at Cheronea, in Boeotia. When very young, 
he was employed by the authorities of his native town iu 
many important negotiations with neighboring munici¬ 
palities. During the reign of Domitian, he gave lessons 
in philosophy at Rome, but returned to Cheronea in a 
few years, and was made high priest of Apollo. The date 
of his death is uncertain, but the annals of the time lead 
us to suppose that he lived to a very old age. His prin¬ 
cipal works are the “ Lives of Illustrious men,” a curious 
disquisition on the “Origin of the Soul,” a criticism on the 
“ Contradictions of the Stoics,” and an essay on “ Educa¬ 
tion.” In his biography of “ Illustrious Men ”—devoted 
naturally to those of Greece and Rome—Plutarch displays 
a great deal of sound morality; but his too evident inten¬ 
tion of placing the great men of Greece above those of 
Rome, interferes with the general success of his work. 

POLK, (James Knox)—President of the United States, 
was born in South Carolina, in 1795. During the admin¬ 
istration of Jackson, he was speaker of the house of 
representatives. Elected to the presidency in 1845, he 
accomplished the annexation of Texas, New Mexico, and 


256 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PO. 

California. He died in 1849. Polk was a man of solid 
judgment and of energetic character. 

POMBAL, (Sebastian Carvalho - Melho )—Marquis of 
Oeyras, celebrated minister of Portugal, was born at 
Soura, in 1699. After having been secretary of legation 
at London (1739), and ambassador at Vienna (1745), 
he became minister of foreign affairs in 1750, and in a 
short time attained absolute supremacy in the kingdom. 
During a period of twenty-seven years he devoted himself 
to the work of repressing the factions which desolated 
the kingdom, and to the delicate task of diminishing the 
powers of the nobility. A determined opponent of the 
Jesuits, he deprived them of their missions in Paraguay, 
and obtained from the Holy See a decree of “ reform ” in 
their regard. Following up his hostility to the company 
of Jesus, he accused its members of a conspiracy against 
the life of the king, and expelled them from Portugal, in 
1759, and from Brazil in 1760. He endeavored to deprive 
England of the exclusive right to Portuguese commerce, 
but towards the end of his career showed himself rather 
favorable to his old enemy. He died in 1782. Pombal 
was probably the greatest minister of state that Portugal 
ever possessed. In retiring from the ministry, he left 
$100,000,000 in the treasury, whereas upon his accession 
to power the government was bankrupt. He was a 
tyrant, however, and carried his hatred to the Jesuits to 
the utmost extreme, regardless of law and common 
sense. 

PONIATOWSKI, (Joseph, Prince)—Nephew of King 
Stanislaus II., was born at Warsaw, in 1763. His first 


PO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 257 

experience in arms was received in the Austrian service, 
but in the war of 1792 he took the command of the Polish 
army. Contradicted by the “ diet” in all his operations, 
he resigned his position, and took no further part in the 
insurrectionary movement until 1794, when he accepted 
a command under Kosciusko. The unfortunate issue of 
the war caused him to exile himself, but when Napoleon 
entered Poland (1806), he reappeared upon the scene and 
organized a Polish army. In 1809 he defended Warsaw 
with success against the Austrians, having but 8,000 men 
to the enemy’s 70,000. After the battle of Leipsic he 
was entrusted with the task of protecting the retreat of 
the army ; but being in danger of capture, he threw him¬ 
self into the river Elster, and was drowned (October 19, 
1813). 

POPE, (Alexander)—An eminent English poet, trans¬ 
lator, and writer, was born in London, 1688, and died 
1744. His religion was Catholic, his taste was chaste, 
and he is without a rival as master of the English lan¬ 
guage. It is said that there is no beautiful expression in 
English which is not found in the writings of Pope. 

PORSENNA—Was born at Clusirim, in Etruria, about 
the year 580 B. C. Making war on Rome in 518 B. C., 
under the pretext of re-establishing the Tarquin dynasty, 
he took the capital, and marched against the Latins. 
Conquered at Aricia, he nevertheless retained a great 
portion of the Roman territory. 

PORSON, (Richard)—An English hellenist, was born 
at East-Ruston, Norfolkshire, in 1759, and was appointed 
professor of Greek in Trinity college, Cambridge, when 


258 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[po. 


only 20 years old. He died in 1808, leaving several 
works of value, which place him among the first Greek 
scholars of modern times. 


POTEMKIN, (Gregory Alexandrovich)—Favorite of 
the Empress Catherine II. of Russia, was born at Smo¬ 
lensk, in 1736. Enlisting in the horse-guards when a 
mere boy, he soon attracted the notice of his sovereign 
on account of his beauty. In the course of his military 
career he obtained a rapid advancement, and in a short 
time attained an absolute ascendency over his voluptuous 
mistress. Created prince, prime-minister, and a marshal 
of the empire, he gave full rein to his ambition, and sig¬ 
nalized his administration by an effort to dismember 
Turkey. He annexed the Crimea to the empire, in 1783, 
and in 1787 took the field in person against the Turks. 
He captured Otchakov, in 1788 ; Bender, in 1789 ; and 
Kilianova, in 1790. Returning to St. Petersburg, in 1791, 
he found the affections of his volatile mistress transferred 
to a new favorite, Platov Zouboff. Caring more for the 
ruin of Turkey than for the capricious esteem of Catherine, 
he left at once for the front, that he might prevent a con¬ 
templated reconciliation with the Porte. He was too 
late to effect his object, and died of chagrin a few days 
after. Catherine is suspected of having caused his death 
by poison, but the charge seems unfounded. 


POUSSIN, (Nicholas)—Head of the old French school 
of painting, was born at Andelys, in 1594. Patronized by 
the Chevalier Marini, he was enabled to pursue his studies 
in Rome, at the expense of Cardinal Barberini. At the 
invitation of Louis XIII., he returned to France in 1640, 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


259 


PR.] 


and obtained the title of “first painter to the king/* 
together with an appointment in the Tuilleries. The 
jealousy of his rivals, Youet and Fouquiere, caused him 
to return to Kome in 1642, and he there died in 1665. 
Nearly all of the works of Poussin are in the galleries of 
the Louvre, at Paris. 

POWERS (Hiram)—A distinguished American sculp¬ 
tor, was born in Woodstock, Vermont, 1805. His statues 
of “Eve,” the “ Greek Slave,” and “Washington,’’ have 
given him a very honorable position in his profession. 
He died in 1873. 

PRADT, (Dominick Dufour , Abbe de )—Writer and 
statesman, was born in 1759, at Allanches, France. On 
the outbreak of the revolution, he was grand-vicar of the 
diocese of Rouen, but entered the “ States-General” in 
1789. Taking sides with the court, he was forced to 
emigrate in 1791, but returned to France in 1801, and 
through the influence of General Duroc, received the 
appointment of almoner to Napoleon. Created succes¬ 
sively bishop of Poitiers, and archbishop of Malines, he 
was made, in 1812, ambassador to Warsaw. Elected 
deputy in 1828, he found the opposition wing of the 
parliament too timid to suit his views, and retired into 
private life, dying in 1837. The works of this prelate 
are very numerous, but are not of much importance at 
the present time, excepting, perhaps, his “History of the 
Embassy to Warsaw, in 1812.” His book on “Europe 
and America in 1821, ’22, and ’23,” is worthy of perusal 
by those who imagine that Europeans in general know 
any thing about America. 


260 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PR. 

PRIESTLEY, (Joseph) — Theologian and physical 
scientist was born at Fieldhead, EDgland, in 1733. His 
many discoveries in physics and chemistry gave him a 
distinguished place among the scientific men *of his day ; 
but the virulence of his style of argument in defending 
the principles of the French revolution, caused him so 
much trouble, that he was fain to seek refuge in America, 
where he died in 1804, at Northumberland, Pennsylvania. 
Although a foreigner, Priestley was honored by the con¬ 
vention with French citizenship, and declared a member 
of that body. In religion, he was an enthusiastic Unita¬ 
rian. His principal works are a “ History of Electricity,” 
a fine series of essays on “ Vision,” and an excellent book 
against the philosophical system of Reid, entitled an 
“ Examination of the Doctrine of * Sensus Communis .’ ” 

PRIM, (don John)—Count de Reus , famous Spanish 
general, was born at Reus, in 1811. His first campaigns 
were made during the civil war which ensued upon the 
accession of Isabella to the Spanish throne. Devoted to 
the interests of the queen-mother, Maria Christina, he was 
promoted to a colonelcy in 1837. During the dictatorship 
of Espartero, the avowed Bourbonic sympathies of Prim 
caused his exile to France; but in 1843, the city of Barce¬ 
lona elected him to the Cortes, and returning to Spain, 
he joined the alliance then formed between the partisans 
of Christina and the “ party of progress.” In May of the 
same year, he incited an insurrection in Reus; but was 
defeated by Zurbano, and fled to Barcelona, where he suc¬ 
ceeded in developing his plans for the restoration of the 
queen-regent. He was rewarded by his grateful sovereign 
with the titles of general, count of Reus, and governor of 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


261 


PR.] 


Madrid. The alliance between the moderate and demo¬ 
cratic factions was soon dissolved, and a revolution broke 
out in Barcelona. The popularity of Prim placed him at 
the head of the government forces, and after a year’s 
desperate struggle, he restored something like order. 
Regarded, however, by the people as a traitor, and dis¬ 
liked by Christina, on account of his liberalism, he was 
arrested on a charge of conspiracy against th<* life of 
Narvaez, and condemned to six years’ imprisonment. 
Released after six months’ detention, he listened to the 
entreaties of his mother, and for nine years remained in 
privacy. In 1853 he accepted a command in the Turkish 
army, and gained many advantages over the Russians on 
the Danube. During the revolution of 1854 he was re¬ 
elected to the Cortes, and voted for the maintainance of 
royalty, though constantly persevering in his liberalism. 
He took a principal part in the revolutionary movements 
of 1868 and 1869, and was assassinated in 1870. 

PROCIDA, (John de)—An Italian gentleman, and lord 
of the island of Procida, was born about the year 1225. 
It was he who prepared the “Sicilian Vespers,” in 1282, 
thus depriving the French of their dominion over Sicily. 
Procida died about the year 1300. 

PROCTER, (Adelaide Anne)—An English poetess, a 
daughter of the poet Bryan Waller Procter, was born iu 
London, 1825, and died 1866. The poet and poetess were 
popular writers. They, likewise, wrote some readable 
legends and tales. 

PROPERTIUS, (Sextus Aurelius)—Celebrated Latin 
poet, was born in 52 B. C., at Mevania, in Umbria. 


262 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [PT. 

Devoting himself to the law in his youth, he changed his 
vocation when about 30 years of age to that of poetry. 
He became an intimate friend of Mecenas, and by him 
was entrusted with the composition of an epopoeia upon the 
glory of Augustus; but not fitted for so elevated a work, 
he devoted his remaining days to the writing of verses 
upon the beauty of his mistress, Cynthia. As an author, 
Propertius is fiery and vivacious, but the multitude of his 
comparisons and metaphors fatigue the reader. He died 
in the year 12 B. C. 

PTOLEMY I., (called Soter , i. e., Saviour )—Was king 
of Egypt from the year 323 B. C., till the year 285 B. C., 
when he abdicated in favor of his son, Ptolemy Phila- 
delphus. Ptolemy was one of the best sovereigns of 
Egypt, and filled Alexandria with monuments and tem¬ 
ples. He founded the great library of Serapion, and was 
a protector of the fine arts. He died in the year 287 
B. C. 


PTOLEMY II., ( Philadelphus )—So called on account of 
his love of his friends—a sarcasm bestowed upon him 
because of his persecution of his relatives—was son of 
the preceding, and ascended the throne in 285 B. C. 
He caused the assassination of Arsenius, his younger 
brother, and repudiated his wife Arsenia, that he might 
espouse the widow of his father-in-law, Lysimachus. He 
was a great friend of literature, and caused the transla¬ 
tion of the Hebrew Bible into G-reek. He augmented the 
library of his father, and did a great deal for astronomy. 
He died in 247 B. C. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


263 


PY.] 

PTOLEMY XI., (The Fluter)—Was a natural son of 
Ptolemy, Soter II., and was placed upon the throne of 
Egypt in 73 B. C., but was not recognized by the Romans 
until the year 59 B. C. He died in 52 B. C. 

PUFFENDORF, (Samuel, Baron de)—Publicist and 
historian, was born at Chemnitz, in Saxony, in the year 
1632. His studies were made under Descartes, Grotius, 
Weigel, and so great became his reputation as a lawyer, 
that at the early age of 30 he was appointed professor 
of law in the university of Heidelburg. In 1670 he was 
made secretary of state by Charles XI. of Sweden, and 
shortly after received the appointment to the counsel- 
lorship of the electorate of Brandenberg. As a legal 
writer, Puffendorf followed the ideas of Grotius, and 
founded all morality upon the principle of “ human 
sociability.” He died in 1694. 

PYRRHON—A Greek philosopher, was bom at Elis, in 
the Peloponnesus, about the year 340 B. C., and died in 
288 B. C. In youth he adopted the profession of a painter, 
but changing his ideas, he followed Alexander into Asia. 
Becoming grand-priest at Elis, his wisdom obtained him 
so much consideration that the Athenians conferred upon 
him the right of citizenship. Pyrrhon must be regarded 
as the founder of the “sceptic” school in philosophy. 
He taught that in our life nothing is certain, that every 
wise man should submit all to his own examination, and 
enforced upon the world his maxim, non liquet , nil 
potius. His motives for doubt he reduced to ten, and he 
summed them all up in the phrase “suspension of judg¬ 
ment.” He drew them from the contradiction which we 
observe-in the sensations experienced by various animals 


264 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [pY. 

(1) ; from the different judgments which men form upon 
the same subject (2) ; from the contrariety of the opinions 
of any single individual (3) pfrom the constant alteration 
of everything material (4) ; from the variability of the 
laws of the world (5) ; from the discrepancy in customs 
among the human family (6) ; from the changes which all 
sensible affairs experience (7) ; from the intermixture 
of all the elements of matter (8); from the inexplicable 
relations which every created substance has with its 
neighbor (9) ; and finally, (10) from the novelty of our 
constantly recurring ideas. Pyrrhon contended that in 
our life all is indifferent, and he endeavored to establish 
among men a kind of apathy, or absence of all passion. 
The principal followers of his school are Timon and 
Sextus Empiricus. 

PYTHAGORAS—A Greek philosopher and founder of 
the so-called Italian school, was born at Samos, about the 
year 600 B. C. Voyaging during his youth in Egypt, he 
was initiated in the mysteries of Bacchus. When about 
40 years old, he established a school at Crotona, Italy, 
and in a short space of time was surrounded by a great 
number of disciples, and of them formed a kind of insti¬ 
tute or academy. He would admit no pupil into his 
association until he had gone through a probation of 
many years of silence. The principal feature of his rule 
was total abstinence from flesh meat, and an absolute 
submission to the master. The particulars of his death 
are not known, but he is supposed to have perished at 
Metapont, during a riot incited by the “ tyrants” of Italy 
against his followers. Instead of entitling himself sqphos 
(sage), Pythagoras adopted the name of philosophos 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


265 


QU-1 

(lover of wisdom). He cultivated all the sciences of his 
time, and made several discoveries of importance, among 
which must be noticed that of the “ square of the hy- 
pothenuse.” His assiduous attention to mathematics 
caused his mind to wander so far as to regard numbers 
as the source of all creation. To the first ten figures he 
ascribed most marvelous properties. God he entitled 
absolute unity, and the sun he regarded as the centre of 
a “ divine music” surrounding the earth. According to 
Pythagoras, morality is unity, evil is diversity, and justice 
is equality. He inculcated the theory of the transmigra¬ 
tion of souls, and hence prohibited the use of animal 
food. He even pretended to have existed in the person 
of Euphorbius, and to have combatted at the siege of 
Troy. 

Q 

QUESNEL, (Louis Francois)—A distinguished French 
general. He served with much distinction in Spain, in 
1808-11, and died in 1815. 

QUESNEL, (Pasquier de)—Famous controversialist of 
Paris, was born in 1634, and died in 1719. He became a 
member of the Oratorian congregation when quite young, 
but owing to his Jansenistic tendencies, he was sent into 
exile, and took refuge in Bruxelles. Arrested by order 
of Philip V., in 1696, and incarcerated at Malines, he was 
liberated in 1703, and retiring to Amsterdam, he died 
there in a few months. He left a fine edition of the 
“ Works of Saint Leo,” and an erudite essay entitled 
“Reflections upon the New Testament.” Probably his 

best work is that upon the “ Discipline of the Church.” 

12 


2GG COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [qU. 

Ili many Catholic universities, his book upon the “Tradi¬ 
tion of the Roman Church with regard to the Predestina¬ 
tion of Saints,” is taken as a text-book. A work of de 
Quesnel, called “Reflections on Moral Subjects,” was 
condemned by the spiritual and temporal authorities, 
in 1708. His work upon the career of St. Leo is con¬ 
demned by the Holy See, and his book upon “Reflec¬ 
tions on Moral Subjects” gave rise to the famous con¬ 
stitution, or bull, Unigenitus, issued by Pope Clement XI. 
in 1713. 

QUINTUS CURTIUS—A Latin historian, of whose 
life little or nothing is known, is supposed to have been 
born about the year of our Lord 20. According to 
Tacitus and Pliny, a certain Gurtius was a Roman gover¬ 
nor in Africa about the year 49. Nothing seems to 
authorize this account of the subject of our sketch ; in¬ 
deed, probabilities indicate that he lived during the reign 
of Theodosius in the fourth century. He left a “ History 
of Alexander” divided into ten books ; the two first of 
which, together with a part of the fifth, sixth, and tenth, 
are lost. This work is especially esteemed on account of 
its classic style, but it possesses the fault of being more 
of a romance than a history. 

QUINTILIAN, (Marcus Fabius) — Celebrated rheto¬ 
rician, was born about 42, at Rome. Following the Em¬ 
peror G-alba into Spain in 61, he found that the military 
profession was not adapted to him, and returning to the 
capital in 68, he became a lawyer, and also established 
a school of rhetoric. Among his students, he had the 
famous Pliny the Younger and the grand-nephews of the 
Emperor Domitian. He died about the year 120. Quin- 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


BA.] 


2G7' 


tilian lias left us a work entitled “ The Education of an 
Orator,” which of its kind is probably the finest we pos¬ 
sess. Among his many other works, we must notice an 
exquisite dissertation on “ Declamation.” Some authors 
have attributed to Quintilian the famous dialogue on the 
“ Causes of Corrupt Eloquence,” but it seems that the 
credit of the work is due to Tacitus. 


K. 

. N. 

RABELAIS, (Francis) — A French ecclesiastic and 
writer, was born in 1483, at Chinon. At first a monk, he 
entered the medical profession at Montpellier, in the year 
1502. He followed his old college friend, the Cardinal du 
Bellay, when that prelate was appointed French ambas¬ 
sador to Rome. While in the eternal city, his spirit of 
raillery led him to assail even the members of the sacred 
college. Returning to France in 1545, he became pastor 
of Meudon, and died in 1553. Rabelais was endowed with 
an exceedingly gay humor, approaching at times even to 
buffoonery. He wrote some valuable works, but is prin¬ 
cipally noted for his “Topography of Ancient Rome,’’ 
copied from the Italian antiquary, Marliani. His satirical 
romance, entitled “ Gargantua and Pantagruel,” is filled 
with extravagance, obscenity, and folly, but is not defi¬ 
cient in good sense. It was condemned by the Sorbonne, 
by the French parliament, and by the Holy See. 

RACINE, (John)—One of the first of French poets, 
was born at Ferte-Milon, in 1639. Studying at Port- 
Royal, his classical knowledge soon gained for him a great 
name, and on the marriage of Louis XIV., he laid the 


268 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. f RA * 

foundation of bis fortune by tlie composition of an ode 
entitled “The Nymph of the Seine.” Devoting himself 
to dramatic writing, his first attempts were not very suc¬ 
cessful, but in a few years his persevering efforts were 
rewarded by the praise of the best critics of Paris. In 
1677 he produced his masterpiece, “ Phedra,” but under¬ 
went the mortification of seeing that tragedy hissed off 
the stage through the influence of the Duke de Nevers and 
the Duchess de Bouillon. He now renounced all connec¬ 
tion with the theatre, and became royal historiographer. 
At the request of Mad. de Maintenon, he composed for 
the establishment of Saint-Cyr the tragedies of “ Esther,’’ 
(1689), and “ Athalie,” (1691). Louis XIY. had always 
been not only friendly, but even familiar with Racine; but 
in 1697 he expressed great indignation at the publication 
of a “ Memoir on the Miseries of the People,” a work 
drawn up by the poet at the instigation of the charitable 
Mad. de Maintenon. So deeply did Racine feel the injury 
that he died two months after. Corneille may have sur¬ 
passed in vigor and genius, but Racine excelled in sensi¬ 
bility and in perfection of style. 

RADETZKY, (Joseph)—Count of Radetz, and marshal 
of Austria, was born in Bohemia, in the year 1766. He 
made as a cadet the campaign of 1788 against the Turks, 
and in 1792, ’95, participated in the war against France. 
In 1799 he became an aide-de-camp to Melas, and dis¬ 
tinguished himself at Marengo and Hohenlinden, as a 
colonel of cuirassiers. In 1805, Radetzky became a gen¬ 
eral of division, and during the campaign of the Archduke 
Charles, so well contributed to the salvation of the Aus¬ 
trian army after its overwhelming defeats by Napoleon, 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


269 


BA.] 

that he received the grade of lieutenant-marshal. Having 
now reorganized the army of Austria, he took part in the 
campaigns of Saxony and France, and participated in the 
battle of Leipsic, of which he had made the plan. Seri¬ 
ously wounded in this affair, he retired from active service 
until 1831, when he received the command of the Austrian 
troops in Italy, and in 1836 was raised to the rank of 
marshal. When the revolutionary excitement of 1847 
took a tangible form, Radetzky was over 81 years of age, 
yet his energy and ability caused a final triumph over the 
heroic exertions of Charles Albert, of Sardinia. Defeated 
at Goito (May 15, 1848), he retook the offensive in a few 
days, and gained the battle of Custozza (July 23), thus 
determining the capitulation of Milan (August 6). At 
the expiration of the armistice which followed this latter 
event, Radetzky invaded Piedmont (March 20, 1849), and 
three days after won the decisive victory of Novara, which 
caused the abdication of Charles Albert in favor of young 
Victor Emmanuel. Marching at once against Venice, he 
summoned that city to surrender, under pain of bombard¬ 
ment; but the obstinafe defense of Fort Malghera by the 
Neapolitan General Pepe forced him to proffer honorable 
conditions. The Italians distrusted his sincerity, and 
continued the resistance during an incessant bombard¬ 
ment of twenty-four days. At the fall of Venice, Radetzky 
was named governor-general of all the Austrian posses¬ 
sions in Italy, and held that position until 1856, when he 
retired into privacy, and died in 1858. 

RAGLAN, (James Henry Fitzroy Somerset)— Lord, an 
English general, born in 1788, was a son of the duke of 
Beaufort. Attached as an aide-de-camp to Wellington 


270 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [nA. 

in the Peninsular war, he advanced rapidly in rank until 
the campaign of Waterloo, when he received a regiment. 
He was created a major-general about 1825, and from the 
time of his promotion until the Crimean war remained 
comparatively inactive. Called by the administration of 
Aberdeen to the command of the English contingent in the 
Franco-English expedition against Russia, Raglan-greatly 
contributed to the victory of the Alma, and merited from 
the French commander, Saint-Arnaud, the praise of being 
possessed of “a valor of the ancient stamp.” Before 
Sebastopol he was not very successful, and died (June, 
1855), perhaps of cholera, perhaps of chagrin. 

RALEIGH, (Sir Walter)—Born in 1552, in Devonshire; 
became when quite young a favorite of Elizabeth; dis¬ 
tinguished himself against the Irish insurgents, founded 
the colony of Virginia, and helped to defeat the Spanish 
armada. He disputed the affections of his royal mistress 
with Leicester and with Essex, and is accused of having * 
hastened the ruin of the latter. Under James I. he was 
charged with conspiracy, and imprisoned from 1604 to 
1G16, when he was entrusted with an expedition to 
Guiana, and took possession of that country (1617) in the 
name of England. Having destroyed some Spanish pos¬ 
sessions, he was recalled, and his enemies caused to be 
revived the old charge against him. Condemned to death, 
he met his fate with dignity (1618). During his pro¬ 
tracted confinement, Raleigh had composed a fine “ His¬ 
tory of the World.” To him Europe owes the introduc¬ 
tion of the potato and tobacco plants. 

RAPHAEL—Celebrated Italian painter, was born at 
Urbino, 1483. Studying at first under his father, he passed 


RA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 271 

soon to the studio of Perugino. At tlie age of 17 his 
reputation was established by a painting of “ St. Nicholas 
of Tolentino,” executed for a church in Citta di Castello. 
About 1503 he became the rival of Leonard da Vinci 
and of Massacio, and in 1508 was entrusted by Pope 
Julius II. with the task of decorating the halls of the 
Vatican. At this period Michael Angelo was employed 
on the frescoes of the Sixtine chapel, and the rivalry 
between the two masters became painful to the friends 
of each. In 1514 Leo X. caused Raphael to decorate the 
beautiful loggie of the Vatican. His last work was the 
“Transfiguration,” probably the most beautiful produc¬ 
tion of art. Raphael died at the age of 37. He united 
in his compositions all kinds of artistic perfection : 
design, composition, color, grace, ideality, vigor, and the 
natural. He may be entitled the Homer of painting. Cri¬ 
tics have divided his artistic life into three periods: the 
first extending to 1504, up to which time he only imitated 
Perugino ; the second reaching to 1514, when he showed 
his own originality of idea ; the third lasting till his 
death. 

RAVIGNAN, (Julius Delacroix de )—Great French pul¬ 
pit orator, was born at Bayonne, in 1793, and studying 
law at the lycee Bonaparte, was admitted to the bar. He 
pleaded with success, and acquired the reputation of good 
taste and elegant manners. He suddenly resolved to enter 
the ecclesiastical state (1822), and after some time spent 
at the seminary of St. Sulpice, joined the Jesuits. He 
was made professor of dogma, but in 1837 was appointed 
successor to Lacordaire in the delivery of “ conferences ” 
at Notre-Dame. By the force and logic he displayed, he 


272 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [RE. 

soon attained to a high degree of estimation in the minds 
of very critical judges. He died in 1858. 

RAYMOND, (Henry Jarvis)—The founder of the 
“New York Times,” was born in Livingston county, New 
York, 1820, and died in June, 1869. He was editor of 
the “New York Courier and Enquirer’’ in 1843, founded 
the “New York Times” in 1851, was lieutenant-governor 
of New York State in 1854, was elected member of Con¬ 
gress in 1864, and attended A. Johnson’s convention in 
1866. He was an able and fluent writer. 

REGULUS, (Marcus Atilius)—A Roman general, was 
consul in 256 B. C.; defeated the Carthaginians in Sicily 
and Africa, and compelling them to request a cessation 
of hostilities, was debating the conditions of peace, when 
he was defeated at Tunis by Xantippus, and made pris¬ 
oner. In 250 B. C. he was set at liberty “on parole,” that 
he might negotiate with his countrymen an exchange of 
prisoners. So honorable and devoted was he that he 
advised the Roman senate to make no concessions, and 
then he returned to his Carthaginian prison. He is sup¬ 
posed to have been put to death by his enemies, but many 
critics have doubted the truth of this allegation. 

REID, (Thomas)—A Scotch philosopher, was born at 
Strachan, in 1710, and became a Presbyterian minister 
about 1737. He was chosen professor of philosophy for 
Aberdeen College in 1752, and obtained the same chair in 
Glasgow University in 1763. Reid died in 1796, leaving 
some interesting works, among which are, one on “ Human 
Understanding,” and one on the “Moral Faculties.” To 
the study of human thought he applied with rigor the 


273 


be.] compendium of biography. 

method of observation recommended by Bacon. He 
combatted the idealism of Berkeley 'and the scepticism of 
Hume. 

REMBRANDT, (Paul)—Famous Dutch painter, was 
born in 1606, at Leyden. Wanting in taste and in grace, 
he excelled in coloring, and in vigor of expression. When 
viewed at a short distance, his productions are rugged, 
but from afar they are very impressive. His best painting 
is one on Tobias and his family. So great was the ava¬ 
riciousness of Rembrandt, that one day he passed himself 
off for dead, that he might obtain a large price for his 
paintings. He died at Amsterdam, in 1674. 

RENlll (of Anjou)—Duke of Anjou and Lorraine, king 
of Naples, &c., called by his subjects “Good King Rene,” 
was born in 1409, son of Louis II., duke of Anjou and 
Count of Provence. He succeeded his brother, Louis III., 
in 1434, and, by the will of Queen Joanna, became heir to 
the throne of Naples. His claim, however, was disputed 
by Alfonso of Aragon, who drove him out of Naples, in 
1442, and became master of that kingdom. He was de¬ 
voted to art and literature, and excelled as a painter and 
poet. He died in 1480. 

RENO, (Jesse L.)—A distinguished American general* 
was born in Virginia in 1825, graduated at West Point in 
1846, served with distinction during the Mexican war 
(1846-7), and became a captain in 1860. He commanded 
a brigade of the Union army at Roanoke Island and New- 
bern, in March, 1862, and was major-general at the second 
battle of Bull Run. He was killed at South Mountain, 
September 14, 1862. 


274 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [RE. 

RENSHAW, (William B.)—An American naval officer, 
a native of New York, entered the navy in 1831. In 1862 
he was in command of the blockading squadron at Galves¬ 
ton, Texas. He blew up his ship sooner than surrender 
it, and was killed by the explosion, in January, 1863. 

BETZ, (J. F. Paul de Gondi) —Cardinal, was born in 
1614, at Montmirail, France. Destined by his family to 
the priestly career, he endeavored to defeat their inten¬ 
tions by a life of ostentatious libertinism; but at length 
he coincided with their views, and became so celebrated, 
that in 1643 he was appointed archbishop of Paris. 
Filled with zeal towards his flock, he became very popular 
with the Parisians, and consequently drew upon himself 
the enmity of Cardinal Mazarin. This mutual hatred 
grew so strong that in 1649 it caused the civil war of the 
Fronde * Succeeding in banishing Mazarin, he became 

* FRONDE (War of the)—A civil war which occurred iu France 
during the minority of Louis XIV. (1648- 53), between the court party 
—that is, Anne of Austria and the prime minister, Mazarin—and the 
parliament. The lower classes as well as the nobility had become 
enraged on account of the exorbitant taxes imposed by Mazarin, but 
the war did not openly break out till 1648. The parliament having 
passed an ordinance by which it declared itself possessed of some share 
in governmental affairs, Mazarin allowed his impudence to go so far as 
to proclaim the assemblage guilty of high-treason. He arrested the 
president, Blancmenil, and the counsellor, Broussel, but the people of 
Paris arose in arms, and the prisoners were released. The queen- 
regent, Anne of Austria, now retired to St. Germain, and caused Condd 
to besiege the capital. At the head of the opposition were Retz, 
coadjutor-bishop of Paris ; Cond6 ? s own brother, the prince de Conti; 
the Marshal Turenne, and the Duke la Rochefoucauld. A compromise 
was made (March 11, 1649), at Rueil, but was of no avail, and Condo 
himself joined the anti-Mazarin faction. Captured in January, 1650, 
Condd was imprisoned at Vincennes, and Gaston d’ Orleans, brother of 
the last king, placed himself at the head of the insurgents. Gaining 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


275 


HE.] 

one of the friends of Anne of Austria, and as reward 
obtained the cardinal’s hat. Upon the re-establishment 
of order, Retz was arrested and confined in prison, but be 
managed to escape to Spain, finding afterwards a refuge 
in Rome. He was allowed to. return to France when he 
resigned his diocese, receiving as compensation the abbacy 
of St. Denis (166 A). Renouncing from this time all con¬ 
nection with politics, Retz led a regular life, and died in 
1679. Liberal, eloquent, active, and ambitious, Retz was 
born a statesman ; yet he seemed always to have loved 
intrigue only for its own sake. 

REUCHLIN.—Famous philologist, was born at Pforz¬ 
heim, Baden, in 1455. He was thoroughly acquainted 
with Greek and Hebrew, and during his youth traveled 
very extensively. Employed in many affairs of State by 
Eberhard I., duke of Suabia, he obtained, on account of 
his skill, the titles of Count Palatine, and Triumvir of the 
Suabian League. Disagreeing with the theologians of 
Stuttgard, he left that city, and supported himself at 
Tubingen as a teacher. He died in 1522. The principal 
works of Reuchlin are the “ Rudiments of Hebrew/’ and 
an excellent “ Hebrew Dictionary.” 

head in the provinces, the Frondeurs succeeded in forcing Anne to 
dismiss the obnoxious Mazarin, but she profited by the dissensions 
which arose between Retz and Comte, and soon restored the favorite 
cardinal to power. Comte now excited Guyenne and Poitou into revolt, 
but Turenne renewed his allegiance to the court. On June 26, 1652, 
the two rivals met in battle at the faubourg St Antoine, but nothing 
was decided. Cond6 fled to Spain, and Anne became reconciled with 
Retz. On the 21st of October, the court re-entered Paris, but imme¬ 
diately Anne caused the arrest of Retz. Mazarin issued a capital 
sentence against Comte, sent Gaston d’ Orleans into exile, and thus 
put an end to the civil war (1658). 


276 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [ill. 

REYNOLDS, (Sir Joshua)—An English painter, was 
born in 1723, at Plympton, Devonshire. His artistical 
studies were made in Italy,, but most of his works were 
executed in London. In 1769 he became president of 
the Academy of Fine Arts. He died in 1792. Reynolds 
was principally celebrated as a portrait painter, and was 
probably the best of English artists in his line. 

RICCI, (Lawrence)—A general of the Jesuits, was born 
at Florence, in 1703. He professed philosophy at Sienna, 
was spiritual director of the Roman College, and was 
finally nominated general of his order (1758). At this 
time the philosophical school of the eighteenth century 
was directing its efforts against the Jesuits, and in 1773 
the company was suppressed. Ricci was confined in the 
castle of San Angelo, and being pressed to change the 
constitutions of his congregation, he replied, “Let them 
be as they are, or not be.’’ He died in his prison, in 1775. 

RICHARD I.—Entitled “Lion-hearted,” king of Eng¬ 
land, was born in 1157. He had embittered the last days 
of his father, Henry II., by revolting against his authority 
in 1173, ’83, ’89. Ascending the throne in 1189, he joined 
the crusades in 1190, took Cyprus in 1191, quarreled with 
Philip of France, gained the victory of Asor against 
100,000 Saracens, but dared not attack Jerusalem. The 
extreme arrogance of Richard made him so many enemies, 
that in 1192 he was compelled to abandon his enterprise. 
On his return towards England, he was made prisoner by 
the duke of Austria, whom he had insulted in Palestine. 
Recovering his liberty (1193), be made war uppn Philip 
Augustus of France, but soon became reconciled with his 
rival. In 1199, a private quarrel with the Viscount de 


HI.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 277 

Limoges caused him to besiege that town, and he was 
killed. The great courage of Richard has merited for him 
the surname of the “modern Achilles.” 

RICHARD III.—King of England, brother of Edward 
IV., first prince of the house of York to mount the 
throne, was born in 1452. He sustained Edward against 
Henry VI., and after the battle of Tewkesbury, in 1471, 
caused the assassination of the young son of the con¬ 
quered monarch. Appointed regent in 1483, he finally 
succeeded in obtaining the throne, and when he was 
scarcely crowned, caused the murder of his two nephews. 
An object of horror to all, he was attacked and slain at 
Bosworth, in the battle given him by the duke of Rich¬ 
mond, in 1485. 

RICHELIEU, (Armand du Plessis )—Cardinal duke 
de, minister of Louis XIII., was born at Paris, in 1585. 
At first a soldier, he became a priest, and when but 22, 
was consecrated bishop of Lu 9 on. He soon became a 
favorite of Marie de Medicis, and by her was appointed 
secretary of the interior and of war. When the queen’s 
mother was disgraced, he retired with her to Blois, and 
reconciled her to the monarch soon after. He received 
the cardinal’s hat in 1622, and the following year was 
made prime minister. Arrived at the supreme power, 
he conceived three great enterprises, which he ever after 
kept in view : the destruction of the political importance 
of Protestantism in France ; the diminution of the power 
of the nobility, up to his time exceedingly formidable ; 
the humiliation of Austria. Directing his first efforts 
against the Protestants, he captured Rochelle (1628), and 
by the peace of Alais annihilated-the influence of the. 


278 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 

enemy. He assigned to Switzerland the Valentine dis¬ 
trict, the possession of which was disputed by Spain. He 
now prepared to war against Austria. Taking part iu 
the thirty years’ war, he united with the Swedes, under 
Gustavus Adolphus, and on the death of this prince, he 
paid the allied army’s expenses, it being now under the 
command of Bernard of Weimar. Richelieu now sent 
his armies against all the Austrian possessions at once, 
and everywhere succeeded, thus securing European 
supremacy to France. What cost him the greatest 
amount of trouble was his disagreement with many of 
the nobles. The principal of his adversaries were Marie 
de Medicis, queen-mother; Anne of Austria, reigning 
queen; Gaston d’Orleans, brother of the king; the 
Duke de Bouillon, and the Count de, Soissons. Once all 
his enemies combined for his destruction, but his astute¬ 
ness foiled their plans. He died in 1642, leaving behind 
him the reputation of having been one of the greatest of 
French statesmen. 

RIENZI, (Cola)— Tribune of Rome, was born in 1310. 
He was one of the commissioners sent by the Romans to 
induce Pope Clement VI., then at Avignon, to re-establish 
the papal residence in the eternal city. In order to put 
an end to the anarchy then prevalent in Rome, Rienzi 
exiled the barons, executed the banditti, and was invested 
as tribune, with dictatorial powers. He formed the plan 
of uniting all Italy into one republic, and had already 
gained many important cities, when the nobles marched 
against him, and he lied to the fort San Angelo, and 
then to Prague, asking the protection of the emperor, 
Charles IV. (1348). He was delivered to Clement VI., 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


279 


EO.] 


and would have been executed, had not the pontiff died. 
Innocent YI. made him senator, hoping to use his power¬ 
ful eloquence for the establishment of papal authority. 
He signalized his administration by many wise measures, 
but was killed in a riot (1354). 

ROBERT GUISCARD—Duke of Puglia, was son of 
Tancred d’Hauteville, a Norman noble. In 1053 he took 
Civitella from Leo XI., became duke of Puglia and Cala¬ 
bria in 1059, took Salerno and Benevento in 1076. For 
this last act he was excommunicated by Gregory VII., but 
they were soon reconciled, and he afterwards saved the 
pontiff from the sacrilegious Henry IV. of Germany. 
(See this name.) He however took Gregory to Salerno, 
where they both died, 1085. 

ROBESPIERRE, (Maximilian)—A French demagogue, 
was born at Arras, in 1759. Elected a member of the 
States-General, he avow r ed himself an apostle of the 
democratic ideas of Rousseau. He soon became the 
oracle of the multitude, and in June, 1791, was appointed 
“public accuser” for the criminal tribunal of the Seine. 
In 1792, the Jacobins elected him a member of the Con¬ 
vention, and as su^h he voted for the death of Louis 
XVI. He soon outstripped Danton (see this name) and 
his other colleagues, and inaugurated the “Reign of 
Terror.” Wishing to establish some kind of religion, 
he caused the Convention to decree, May 7, 1794, the 
existence of God and the immortality of the soul.* In 
a short time he excited many enemies on account of his 

* Robespierre is reported to have said that so necessary to society is 
the belief in God, that if there were not one, he would create one. 


280 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [RO. 

ambition and arrogance, and, at the instance of Talbien, 
he was accused of treason, and condemned to the guillo¬ 
tine. He attempted to commit suicide, but was dragged 
to the scaffold, July 28, 1794. Robespierre was a cool 
man in forming an opinion, -and tenacious in holding it. 
Hi s elocution was elegant and clear, but sententious. 

ROGERS, (Samuel)— Celebrated English poet, was 
born at London, in 1762. He made his debut in poetry 
by a work entitled “ An Ode on Superstition, and other 
Poems.” His next production was a poem in two chants 
entitled the “ Pleasures of Memory,” written with much 
taste and elegance. His other writings are of no great 
value. He died in 1855. 

ROHRBACHER, (Francis)—A French ecclesiastical 
historian, was born in the department of la Meurthe, in 
1789. His studies were made at Nancy, and he was 
ordained in 1812. He died in 1856. His best work is 
his “ Universal History of the Church.” As a historian, 
he is remarkable for his diffuse and impertinent writing. 
If the student wishes to obtain an idea of the career of 
a certain personage, he is obliged to wade through 
dozens of pages of irrelevant matter before he can attain 
his end. 

ROLAND, (Jane, Mad.)—Wife of the minister, Roland 
de la. Platiei'e , was born at Paris, in 1754. Her education 
was obtained almost entirely by her own unaided exer¬ 
tions. Her favorite author was Plutarch, and from him 
she drew most of her republican ideas. She became the 
editress of the Courrier, of Lyons, a journal founded by 
her husband. Allying herself with the Girondius, she 


RO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 28J 

soon became the very soul of the party. Under the name 
of her husband, she for^some time directed the ministry 
of the interior. Accused by the Convention of intriguing 
with England, she succeeded in obtaining an acquittal, 
but being again accused of treason, she was condemned 
and executed, November 8, 1793. 

BOLLIN, (Charles) — Celebrated professor of history, 
was born at Paris, in 16G1, and was son of a poor cutler. 
His precocity obtained for him a free place at the Uni¬ 
versity of Paris, and he graduated with honor. Having 
filled with credit several chairs of the university, he was 
made its rector in 1694. Made director of the college 
of Beauvais, in 1696, he was suspected of Jansenism, and 
deprived of his office. He died in 1741. His principal 
works are an abridgment of “ Quintilian,” in which he 
cuts out all not of elocutionary importance; a “ Treatise, 
on Study,” probably of its kind the best we have ; an 
“ Ancient History,” not at all exempt from criticism, but 
very attractive in style ; a Roman History,” which his 
death interrupted, but which was finished by Crevier. 

BOMANOFF, (Michael)—Emperor of Eussia, son of 
Feodor Nikitich, was elected in 1613, and had to contend 
against the rival pretensions of Poland and of Sweden. 
In 1619 he made peace with Sweden, ceding to her the 
provinces of Ingria and Carelia. In 1618 he concluded 
a truce of fourteen years with Poland, giving up the 
duchies of Smolensk, Severia, and Tcherginoff. He died 
in 1645. 

, EOSA, (Salvator)—A celebrated Italian painter, waa 
born at Arenella, in 1615. His characteristics are hardi- 


282 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [RO 

hood in expression and great taste in grouping. His 
forte was the representation of .scenes of horror and of 
sadness. He died in 1673. 

ROSSE, (William Parsons) — Earl of, and peer of 
England, was a member of that branch of the Parsons 
family which emigrated to Ireland during the Stuart 
troubles. He was born at York, in 1800. Known at 
first as Lord Oxmantown, he sat in the House'of Com¬ 
mons from 1821 to 1834. In politics he was an ex¬ 
treme liberal. Passionately devoted to astronomy, Lord 
Rosse caused to be constructed on his domain of Par- 
sonstown an observatory, second probably to none in 
the world. All of his instruments were constructed 
under his own supervision. Among many of great value, 
he invented the famous one which bears his name, and 
which cost him $70,000. Rosse refuted the ideas of 
Herschell upon condensation, and the theories on cos¬ 
mogony of Laplace. His “Letters on the State of Ire¬ 
land” made him known as a philanthropist; and during 
the famine he was one of the most aetive in rendering 
aid to the suffering poor. He was president of the Royal 
Society of London, from 1849 to 1855. With the ex¬ 
ception of Father Secchi, of the Society of Jesus, Lord 
Rosse was the greatest astronomer of modern times. He 
died in 1867. 

ROSSINI, (Joachim)—Celebrated Italian composer, 
was born at Pesaro, in 1792. His studies were made 
under the supervision of Father Mattei, at Bologna. 
Among his many works of note, must be praised his 
famous “Stabat Mater.” He died in 1868. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGKAPHY. 


283 


no.] 

ROTHSCHILD, (Mayer-Anselm) — Famous banker, 
was born in 1743, at Frankfort on the Main, of a 
Jewish family. He became agent of the landgrave of 
Hesse, and when that prince was obliged, in consequence 
of the Napoleonic wars, to quit his estates, he managed 
to save his master’s fortune, even at the risk of his own. 
This act gained for him the confidence of all the crowned 
heads of Europe, and gave to his family an ascendancy 
in financial circles which might be called omnipotent. 
He died in 1812, leaving ten children. The eldest, 
Anselm (1772-1855), founded the banking house o! 
Frankfort ; Solomon established that of Vienna (1774- 
1855); Nathan fixed his residence at London, and ad¬ 
vanced to the English government the necessary funds 
for her wars of the time, dying in 1836; Charles, born 
in 1788, started business in Naples ; James, born in 1792, 
founded a house in Paris. Though scattered over the 
earth, the family of Rothschild are a unit in feeling and 
in action. Hence their success. In 1815, the emperor of 
Austria conferred the title of baron upon all the members 
of the Rothschild family. 

ROUSSEAU (John)—A lyric poet, was born at Paris, 
in 1671. His practical genius made him a great many 
friends, but they did not profit him much, as most of his 
life was spent in dissipation. In the writing of “ odes,” 
he has had no equal; in his lyrics the sublimity of his 
ideas are equaled only by the harmony of his style. He 
died in 1741. 

ROUSSEAU, (John-James)—Celebrated French writer, 
was born at Geneva, in 1712. His education was much 
neglected. In fact, it was confined to the reading of a 


284 .COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [BO. 1 

few romances and the “Lives of Plutarch.” Arriving 
penniless at Annecy, he was received by Madame de 
Warens, a Catholic lady, and under her guidance he 
became a Catholic. After many vicissitudes of fortune, 
he fixed his residence at Paris (1741), and there acquired 
a reputation by his invention of “musical notation.” In 
1749 the Academy of Dijon proposed this question : 
“ Has progress in science and art contributed to the corrup¬ 
tion , or to the purity of morals?” Rousseau entered the 
lists, and in his essay assailed the arts, but nevertheless 
he took the prize. He now became a copyist of music, 
but spent most of his spare time in writing on social and 
philosophical subjects. His principal works at this time 
were a comedy entitled “ Narcisse’'* and a discourse on 
the “Origin of Inequality among Men.” In 1754 he. 
returned to Geneva, and in order to obtain the title 
“ citizen of the republic,’’ he abjured the faith, and be¬ 
came a Calvinist. Returning to Paris, he became inti¬ 
mate with Madame d’Epinay, who constructed for him 
the celebrated villa “ Hermitage.” Here he composed 
“The New Heloise ;” a political essay styled the “Social 
Contract;” a philosophical romance on education de¬ 
nominated “ Emile,” in w T hich he denied all revelation and 
inculcated pure deism. This last work was condemned 
by the Parliament of Paris, and burned by the execu¬ 
tioner. Fleeing to the principality of Neuchatel, he there 
defended his “ Emile” by a “ Response to the Decree of 
the Archbishop of Paris.” Against the government of 
Geneva, which had also condemned “ Emile,” he directed 
l?is, “Letters Written from the Mountain.” Forced to 
quit Switzerland, he accepted the hospitality of Hume, 
and established his residence in England, 1776. Quarrel- 


BU.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 285 

ing with Hume in a few months, he returned to France, 
finally settling in Paris, in 1770. His eyesight soon failed, 
and he died in 1778. He v left several posthumous works, 
the most celebrated of which is the one denominated his 
“ Confessions,” in which he displays his truly cynical 
ideas. The celebrity of Rousseau is due to his charming 
style and the paradoxes of which he was so fond. In his 
“ Social Contract,” he founds society upon the supposition 
of an imaginary compact, and proclaiming absolute equal¬ 
ity, thus gives an origin to the “ principles of the French 
revolution.” In his “Emile,’* he proposes a system of 
education according to which the pupil should have only 
nature as a master. In “Heloise,” he eloquently treats 
many questions of morality, but with a wonderful skill 
Sustains contradictory opinions. As a religionist, he 
uttered ideas purely deistical. As a private gentleman, 
he was disinterested and honorably proud; neverthe¬ 
less, he hesitated not to ally himself with women un¬ 
worthy of his love, and scrupled not to abandon his own 
children. 

RUFFO, (Denis)—An Italian statesman, called the 
Cardinal-General, was born in 1744, and died in 1827. 
By Pius YI. he was made a cardinal, and secretary of the 
pontifical treasury. He caused au insurrection of the 
Neapolitans against the French republicans (1799), re¬ 
took the capital in the interest of the Bourbons, but yet 
disapproved of the campaign, ag&inst France, of 1805. 
He must not be confounded with another Cardinal Ruffo 
(Louis), Archbishop of Naples, born in 1750, and de¬ 
ceased in 1832. This latter prelate was also a great 
friend of the Neapolitan Bourbons. 


286 " COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. / [SA. 

RUTTER, (Michael)—A Dutch admiral, was born at 
Flessingen, in 1607. Arriving to the grade of rear-admi¬ 
ral in 1645, he was very distinguished in the wars of the 
time, notably by his daring ascent of the Thames, even 
to the wharves of London (1666). In 1675 he was van¬ 
quished before Catania by the French Admiral Duquesne, 
and mortally wounded. He survived, however, until the 
next year. 

s. 

SABELLIUS — An heresiarch of the third century, 
taught that in the Trinity there were but three various 
actions proceeding from one principle : creating , saving , 
and giving grace to man. His doctrine was condemned by 
the synod of Alexandria, in 261. 

SAINT EVREMOND, (Charles, Lord of) —Cele¬ 
brated French writer of the seventeenth century, was 
born at St. Denis le Guast, in 1613. As a soldier, he 
served under the Duke d’Enghien (Prince de Condi), and 
distinguished himself at Rocroy and Nordlingen, but his 
spirit of raillery caused a quarrel between the duke and 
himself. During the war of the Fronde (see this name), 
he defended both with pen and sword the royal cause, 
thus obtaining for a time the friendship of Mazarin. 
Having displeased the cardinal bj r his sarcastic remarks 
on the “peace of the Pyrenees,” he sought refuge in 
England (1661), and there resided until his death (1703). 
Before his exile, Saint Evremond had been on terms of 
intimate friendship with the most distinguished men of 
his land ; for example, the Marshal de Crequi, and the 
famous Turenne. He wrote much, but published no- 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


287 


BA.] 

thing of his own accord. His admirers, however, suc¬ 
ceeded in stealthily giving to the world, while he was yet 
living, a few of his productions. His best works are a 
treatise entitled “ Observations on Sallust and Tacitus,” 
some excellent “ Reflections on Tragedy and Comedy,” a 
good “ Discourse on Belles-Lettres,” a rather superficial 
essay on the “Genius of the Roman People,” and a 
really good “ Parallel between Turenne and Conde.” In 
philosophy. Saint Evremond was an epicurean ; as a 
writer, he was elegant in style ; as a thinker, he was 
original, liberal, and profound. 

SAINT GEORGE, (the Chevalier de)—A mulatto, 
celebrated French officer, was born in 1745, at Guade¬ 
loupe. Entering the army, he served with distinction 
under Dumouriez. He died in 1801. 

SAINT GEORGE, (the Chevalier de) — So called, was 
son of James II. of England, and born in 1688. In 1701 
James II. died, and the young prince was recognized as 
king of England, by Louis XIV. For a long time he 
hoped that Queen Anne would name him as her successor. 
In 1715 the Duke of Argyle took up arms in his favor, 
but was defeated at Sherifmoor, by the Earl of Mar. 
In 171G he appeared himself in Scotland, but without 
success. Cardinal Alberoni endeavored in vain to secure 
for him the throne. In 1745, his son, Charles Edward, 
proclaimed him king in Scotland, but again the prince’s 
hopes were baffled. He died at Rome in 1766, leaving 
two sons, the just-mentioned Charles Edward, (called the 
“Pretender”), and Henry, duke of York, cardinal of 
Holy Church. 


288 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SA. 

SAINT JUST (Anthony)—Celebrated member of the 
French convention, was born at Decize, in 17G9. Adopting 
the principles of the revolution, he was elected to the 
convention in 1792, voted for the death of Louis XVI., 
joined the faction of Robespierre, became one of the “ com¬ 
mittee of public safety,” and was one of those who 
organized “ the reign of terror.” Commissioned with 
Lebas to act as a kind of spy upon the army of the Rhine, 
he ordered many executions of “ suspected ’’ parties. 
Elected president of the Convention, February 19, 1784 ; 
he nevertheless fell a viction to the passions he had 
helped to excite, and was guillotined, July 27. 

SAINT PIERRE (Bernardine de )—A French writer, 
was born at Havre, in 1737. At first a naval cadet, then 
soon aspiring to the priesthood, afterwards an officer of 
engineers, he became at length a teacher of mathematics 
at Paris. Going to Poland to defend the national cause, 
he inspired a certain princess with a violent passion for 
him, but her fickleness soon disgusted him, and he re¬ 
turned to his own land in 1766. From this time he 
devoted his life to letters. His “Voyage to the Isle of 
France ” obtained only moderate success, but his “ Studies 
of Nature” gained him a reputation among the first of his 
contemporaries. His fame was secured by his “ Paul and 
Virginia.” Of all the French writers, he probably was 
the best painter of nature, but he was too apt to present 
his reveries as the laws of the universe. He died in 
1814. 

SAINT SIMON, (Claude, Count de )—French economist 
and sectarian, was born at Paris, in 1760. He served in 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 


SA.] 


289 


America during the war of independence, but quitted the 
army in 1785, and devoted himself to projects for public 
utility. Conceiving the idea of a reorganization of science 
and of society, he allied himself with the most celebrated 
philanthropists of his time ; voyaged through England, 
Switzerland, and Germany ; published many books ; but 
was so disappointed in success that he tried to commit 
suicide (1823). He only, however, lost an eye, and re¬ 
covering his Senses, he reassumed his labors, and so far 
succeeded as to gain for disciples such men as Comte, 
Thierry, Enfantin, etc. He died in 1825. Saint Simon 
was the founder of the industrialist school, the object of 
which was to ameliorate the lot of the poor by means of 
industry and knowledge. He considered the wise, the 
industrious, the artisans, as forming the only legitimate 
aristocracy ; and would have confided to them alone the 
direction of his new society. He encouraged what we now 
denominate “labor unions,” and, upon altogether new 
bases, he wushed to be founded the family—Religion and 
Property. His sect soon fell under the shafts of ridicule. 

SALADIN (Malek-an-Nasr-Salah-Eddyn) —Commonly 
so called, was the first Abouyite sultan of Egypt. Son of a 
chief of the Kurds, he early gained a reputation for skill 
and bravery. Becoming vizier of the Caliph Adhed- 
Ledinillah, he soon advanced himself to supreme power 
(1175). He conquered the crusaders at Csesarea ; defeated 
Guy of Lusignan many times, and in 1187 put an end 
to the kingdom of Jerusalem by the capture of the city, 
thus terminating the third crusade. He died in 1193. 
Saladin was brave, active, and generous. 

SALMERON (Alphonsus)—One of the first members 

13 


290 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SA. 

of the Soeiefcv of Jesus, was born at Toledo^ Spain, in 
1515. At Paris he joined St. Ignatius and his compan¬ 
ions, and became one of the jnost active men of the new 
congregation. At the council of Trent he was one of the 
“ orators ” of the Holy See. He became general of his 
society, and died at Naples, in 1585. 

SANCHEZ, (Thomas)—Famous theologian of the So¬ 
ciety of Jesus, was born at Cordova, Spain, 1550. His 
reputation is founded principally upon his work on the 
sacrament of “ Matrimony. 7 * He died in 1610. 

SANTERRE, (Claude)—A French demagogue, was 
born at Paris, in 1743. He was govenor of the prison 
of “ the Temple ” during the confinement of Louis XVI. 
and his family. When the umfortunate monarch was 
about to address the multitude gathered to witness his 
execution, Santerre ordered the drums to be beat, that 
his voice might not be heard. He died in 1808. 

SARPI, (Peter-Paul)—Celebrated Italian historian, was 
born at Venice, in 1552, and died in 1623. He joined the 
religious order called “ Servites,” studied thoroughly all 
the then-known sciences, and became general of his com¬ 
munity. The republic of Venice appointed him its “con¬ 
sultant theologian,”* and a member of the too celebrated 
“ Council of Ten.” He was in reality a heretic in priestly 
dress, and were it not for the deep-seated devotion of his 

* The peculiar relations which subsisted between Church and State 
often caused the governments of Europe to appoint “consultant the- 
ologian8.’ , whose legitimate province it was to draw the line between 
the two authorities, unfortunately too often conflicting. The supreme 
pontiffs had prelates commissioned to the various courts for the same 
purpose; these were entitled “ nuncios.” 


SA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 291 

compatriots, he would have planted heresy in beautiful 
Italy. All of his works are on the Index . 

SARSFIELD, (Patrick)—Earl of Lucan, the Irish 
Marshal Ney in the Williamite wars, was the son of a 
member of the Irish Commons, who was proscribed in 
1641, and of Anna O’Moore, daughter of the organizer of 
the Catholic Confederation. He fought at the battle of 
the Boyne, at Aughrim, and at Limerick. The blowing 
up of King William’s siege-train at Ballanedy was a 
daring and glorious exploit. He was killed in the service 
of Louis XIV., while leading his men at the battle of 
Landen, 1695. 

SAVAGE, (Richard)—An English poet, was born at 
London, in 1698, of the Countess of Macclesfield, by an 
adulterous union with Lord Rivers. His mother proved 
to be,,as far as he was concerned, a perfect hyena, and 
hence most of his life was passed in absolute misery. 
Raised in secret by a few artisans, he accidentally dis¬ 
covered the origin of his birth, and endeavored in vain 
to obtain even a penny from the “noble” mother, my 
lady, the countess. He then connected himself with the 
stage, and his great talents procured for him the friend¬ 
ship of Steele and Pope. He died in 1743. Among his 
many works, tragedies, comedies, poems, etc., we must 
notice his “ Bastard,” a heart-broken record of his own 
life. 

SxAVARY (Rene)—Duke of Rovigo, celebrated gen¬ 
eral of France, was born at Marc, in 1774. Having dis¬ 
tinguished himself greatly during the first campaigns of 
the revolution, he was made by Napoleon, then first- 


292 dOMPENDlUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SA. 

consul, colonel of the gendarmes d'elite. This appoint¬ 
ment entailed upon him the painful duty of superintend¬ 
ing the execution of the Duke d’Enghien (see this name). 
His record at Austerlitz, Eylau, Ostrolenka, and Fried- 
land, rendered him worthy of the title of Duke of 
Rovigo, and of the governorship of Prussia. Napoleon 
sent him to Spain in 1808, as general-in-chief, but in 1810 
he was made prefect of police. He followed Napoleon to 
Rochefort (1815), begged the English to allow him to be 
exiled with his master, but was refused, and consigned to 
prison in Malta. Escaping, he returned to France a year 
after, but so great was the power of his enemies—Talley¬ 
rand among the number—that he fled to Rome for the 
sake of peace. Again returning to France, in 1830, he 
obtained the next year the chief command of the army 
of Africa, and held it till his death, 1833. Savary left us 
a collection of “ Memoirs to serve for a History of 
Napoleon,” and they are probably the most important 
sources from which we can obtain a correct idea of that 
hero. 

SAVONAROLA (Friar Jerome)—Celebrated preacher 
of the Dominican order, was born at Ferrara, Italy, in 
1452. He commenced a series of violent declamations 
against the Holy See about 1488, excited a revolt against 
the Medicis of Florence, and believing himself possessed 
of the gift of prophecy, predicted with assurance a com¬ 
ing revolution. In 1494, in fact, Charles VIII. having 
come to Italy, the Florentines profited by his presence to 
recover their liberty. Savonarola, having become the 
idol of the people, was the real head of the new republic. 
During his administration of three years, he put many of 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


293 


SC.] 

the citizens to death, on a charge of conspiracy in favor 
of the Medicis. Accused of heresy by the Franciscans, 
anathematized by Pope Alexander VI., deprived even of 
the support of Charles VIII., he lost all credit, and was 
Consigned to prison by the signoria* of Florence. He 
v;as tried for sedition and heresy, and executed May 23, 
1498. 

SAXE, (Maurice)—Count de, marshal of France, born 
at Dresden, in 1696, was a natural son of the king of 
Poland, Augustus II., by the countess of Kcenigsmark. 
When but 12 years of age, he entered the army, and was 
trained under the eyes of the great Eugene. He entered 
the French service in 1720, and was made field-marshal. 
Suddenly he went to Eussia, and was elected duke of 
Courland, thanks to the influence of the duchess-dowa¬ 
ger, Anne Ivanovna, (afterwards empress). The Em¬ 
press Catherine, however, would not recognize his title, 
and he returned to France. He went through the cam¬ 
paigns of the time with great distinction, and in 1736 was 
made lieutenant-general. During the war of the “ Aus¬ 
trian Succession,” he took Prague and Egra, successfully 
defended Alsace, and was made marshal in 1743. He 
held the allies in check in Flanders (1744), defeated them 
at Fontenoy (1745), took Brussels and gained two vic¬ 
tories at Eocoux (1746), thus bringing about the peace of 
Aix-la-Chapelle (1748). Louis XV. gave him the title of 
“ Marshal-G-eneral.” He died in 1750. 

SCALIGER, (Julius Caesar)—Celebrated Italian writer, 
was born at Padua, in 1484. He was the son of a painter, 


We would call it “ municipality." 


294 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SO. 

Bordoni, but pretending to descend from the noble family 
Della Scala, he was called Scaliger. He took out natural¬ 
ization papers in France, and devoted his life to study. 
He was regarded as a man of universal knowledge, but 
he was chiefly esteemed as a grammarian. His principal 
works are the “Causes of the Latin Language,” and a 
fine essay on “ Subtlety.” He died in 1558. 

SCALIGER, (Joseph) — Son of the preceding, born at 
Agen, in 1540, surpassed his father as a philologist, and 
acquired a great name as an historian. He became a 
Protestant, and most of his writings betray the virulence 
of an apostate. As a commentator, he is generally exact. 
He died in 1609. 

SCHILLER, (John Frederick Christopher) — Cele¬ 
brated German poet, was born at Marbach, in 1759. He 
is best known by his tragedies, and by his “ History of 
the Thirty Years’ War.” He died in 1805. 

SCHLEGEL, (August)—German poet and critic, was 
born at Hanover, in 1767. He is best known as a trans¬ 
lator of Shakespeare and Calderon. He caused much 
excitement in France, by an essay entitled a “ Comparison 
between the Phedra of Racine, and that of Euripides.” 
In 1818 he became professor of literature at Bonn, and 
the same year published his famous dissertation on 
“ Provencal Literature.” He was an intimate friend of 
Madame de Stael, and Goethe. He died in 1845. 

SCHLEGEL, (Frederick)—Brother of the preceding, 
was born in 1772, and died in 1829. He became a Catho¬ 
lic, and passed the greater part of his life at Vienna,. 


BCi] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. • 295 

under the protection of Metternich, for whom he drew 
up many political documents. He was a violent parti¬ 
san of doctrinal absolutism, as is shown especially in his 
chief work, “ Philosophy of History.” 

SCHLEGEL, (John Elias)—German poet, was born 
at Meissen (Saxony), in 1718. He made his first reputa¬ 
tion as an imitator of Sophocles and Euripides. He be¬ 
came professor of classics at the University of Soroe, and 
died in 1749. His tragedies enjoyed much reputation 
during his life, but are not appreciated at present. 

SCIPIO (Publius Cornelius Africanus )—Was born in 
the year 235 B. C. He is celebrated on account of his 
campaigns against the great Carthaginian general, Han¬ 
nibal. In 202 B. C. he conquered at Zama, thus putting 
an end to the war. In 190 he accompanied his brother 
Lucius into Asia, and in reality directed the campaign. 
Upon his return he was accused of having accepted bribes 
from Antiochus. Cited before the people, he cried out 
“Homans! I conquered Hannibal at Zama ; let us go to 
the capitol and return thanks to the gods ! ” The people 
followed him, and his accusers were left alone in the forum. 
Accused a second and a third time, he was condemned to 
exile, and retired to Liternum, where he died, in 184 B. C. 
Scipio was a man not only of great military genius, but of 
sterling virtue. His character can be well illustrated by 
the following incident. After the capture of Carthaginia 
(Spain), his soldiers brought to him a beautiful young 
woman as a concubine. Learning that she was affianced to 
a young Spanish nobleman, he caused him to be sought 
out, and delivered her safe into his arms. This noble con- ' 


296 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [sE. 

duct so touched the Spaniards as to cause them to become 
allies of Rome. 

SCOTT (Walter)—A Scotch poet and novelist, was 
born at Edinburgh, in 1771, and died in 1832. His first 
romance was entitled “Waverley,” and from that novel 
his series of romances derive the name of “Waverley 
Novels.” Scott is celebrated for his tact in making his 
personages speak for themselves, for an almost magical 
talent in painting places, and above all, for the happy 
gift of successfully blending the sublime and ridiculous. 
He wrote a “Life of Napoleon” (1827), but it is partial 
and inaccurate. 

SCOTT (Winfield)—Celebrated American general, was 
born at Petersburg, Virginia, in 1786. He greatly dis¬ 
tinguished himself during the war of 1812-14 against 
England, and took Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo, by assault. 
On the 25th July, 1814, he fought the famous battle of 
Lundy’s Lane. In 1841 he was appointed commander- 
in-chief of the United States army, and in 1846 directed 
the military operations against Mexico. With only 12,000 
men he took Vera-Cruz, March 26, 1847. April 18, he 
carried the heights of Cerro Gordo, and after a series of 
brilliant victories against immensely superior forces, he 
entered the city of Mexico, September 14. At the com¬ 
mencement of the civil war, he foresaw its serious char¬ 
acter, and advised Lincoln to call into the field a large 
number of troops. Age and infirmity compelled him to 
resign in 1861, and he died in May, 1866. 

SCOTUS, (Duns)—The Subtle Doctor of the Church, 
was born in the county Down, Ireland, about 1265. He 


SC.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 297 

crossed to England, and became a professor at Oxford in 
1301, and, after six years of unprecedented success, passed 
over to the University of Paris, where he lectured on the¬ 
ology, and after a short time died at Cologne, in 1308. 
Duns Scotus was a rival of St. Thomas AEquinas, and was 
at once the most abstruse doctor of the Middle Ages, and 
the most formidable disputant in any European university. 
He has left many theological works, but his works disap¬ 
peared with the decline of his school. 

SCOTUS, (John Erigena)—A profound philosopher, a 
learned theologian, an able linguist, a learned mathema¬ 
tician, and a courtier of Charles the Bold, was born in 
Ireland about the beginning of the ninth century. He 
translated from different languages, and wrote many 
works on science, philosophy, and theology. He was 
opposed by the bishop of Lyons, and on that account 
many have accused him of heresy, and set him down as 
the father of the Sacramentarians, and the precursor of 
Berengarius. It is more probable that the boldness of 
his investigations, and the independence of his character, 
combined with the extent of his learning, which, as in the 
case of many of his countrymen in that age, provoked the 
jealousy, and aroused the opposition of continental teach¬ 
ers and churchmen. Hallam says : “ He was in a literary 
and philosophical sense, the most remarkable man of the 
Dark Ages : no one else had his boldness and subtlety in 
threading the labyrinths of metaphysical speculations.” 
He died about 875. 

SCOTUS, (Marianus)—An Irish monk, was born in 
1028, entered the monastery of Cologne, 1059, afterwards 


298 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SE. 

spent some time in the abbey of Fulda, then taught the¬ 
ology at Ratisbon, and died at Mayence, 1088. He wrote 
a chronicon of the world to .1083, and was the most 
learned historian of his century. 

SELKIRK, (Alexander)—A Scotch sailor, was born at 
Lasgo, county Fife, in 1680. He was abandoned by his 
captain on the desert isle of Juan-Fernandez, and there 
lived for more than four years. Discovered by Rogers, 
in 1709, he returned to the bosom of civilization. His 
adventures furnished to Defoe the materials for “ Robin¬ 
son Crusoe.” 

SESOSTRIS — King of Egypt, son of Amenophis 
Ramses, reigned from 1565 to 1499 B. C. He conquered 
Ethiopia, Syria, Media, Assyria, the Caucassian regions 
as far as the Don, and Asia Minor. After nine years of 
absence, he returned to Egypt, and spent the remainder 
of his days in promoting the internal prosperity of his 
kingdom. Under Sesostris, Egypt attained the summit 
of material glory. 

SETON, Mrs., (by birth, Ann Eliza Bailey ) — Foundress 
of the Sisters of Charity in America, was born August 
27, 1774. Her husband dying in 1803, she became a 
Catholic the following year, and soon conceived the idea 
of founding a religious community which would be spe¬ 
cially adapted to the wants of this country. Her first 
essay was the establishment of St. Joseph’s Academy, 
Emmittsburg, Maryland ; but before her death she had 
the satisfaction of seeing her Sisters at work all over the 
republic. She died January 4, 1821. 


SF.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 299 

SEWARD, (William Henry)—A celebrated American 
statesman, was born in Orange county, New York, on 
May 16, 1801, and was educated at Union College, Sche¬ 
nectady, which he entered in 1816. He taught school for 
about six months in one of the Southern States, but re¬ 
turned to New York, in 1820, and commenced the study 
of the law under John Duer and Ogden Hoffman. Ho 
was admitted to the bar in 1822, and soon acquired a high 
reputation, both as a civil and criminal lawyer. In 1828, 
he was president of a State convention which advocated 
the re-election of John Quincy Adams to the presidential 
chair, and soon after was elected to the senate of the State 
of New York by the Anti-Masonic party. He was nomi¬ 
nated as the Whig candidate for governor of New York, in 
1834, but was defeated by William L. Marcy. In 1838 he 
was elected governor of the State by a majority of 10,000 
votes, and in 1840 was re-elected. In 1849 he was elect¬ 
ed to the United States Senate by the State Legislature 
by an overwhelming vote. In 1860 he was a prominent 
candidate for the presidency at the Republican conven¬ 
tion, which finally nominated Abraham Lincoln, who 
after his election appointed him secretary of state. It 
is now conceded that he directed our foreign policy 
during the civil war with consummate skill and fore¬ 
sight. An attempt was made to assassinate him in April, 
1865, which failed. He was afterwards secretary of state 
to President Johnson. Mr. Seward twice visited Europe, 
and was received with distinction. He died on the 10th 
of October, 1872. 

SFORZA (Giaeorauzzo)—Founder of the celebrated 
Italian family of this name, was born at Cotignola, Ro- 


300 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPH T. [SH. 

magna, in 1369. He became head of a band of free¬ 
booters, “ condottieri” and after many years of mercen¬ 
ary service was finally made .grand-constable of Naples 
by John II. He was killed at the passage of the Pescara, 
while marching against Braccio, his rival, in 1424. 

SHAFTESBURY, (Ashley Cooper) Earl of—An Eng¬ 
lish statesman, was born at Winborne, Dorsetshire, in 
1621. As a member of parliament he showed himself a 
zealoas defender of the royal cause; but seeing that his 
loyalty was suspected, he allied himself with the parlia¬ 
mentarians, disapproving, however, of the condemnation 
of Charles I. He took part in the restoration of Charles 
II. (1660), and by that monarch was made an earl, and 
one of the ministry. Obliged to resign in 1674, he made 
so violent an opposition, that he was sent to the Tower. 
In 1679 he was restored to favor, and became prime 
minister. He declared himself openly as an opponent of 
the duke of York (James II.), and caused a bill to pass 
the house of commons excluding that prince from the 
succession to the crown. Again excluded from the min¬ 
istry (1681), he was accused of high treason, but acquit¬ 
ted. Entering into the conspiracy of Monmouth, he was 
betrayed, and hence fled to Holland, where he died in 
1683. Shaftesbury was a man of great talent, but one of 
the most corrupt men of his time. 

SHAKESPEARE, (William)—First of English poets, 
was born at Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1563. 
He received an imperfect education, and at the age of 18 
married a woman eight years older than himself. His 
early life was loose, and when but 22 he went to London, 


SE.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


301 


and for a time supported himself by tending the horses 
of the gentry who frequented the theatre. After a while, 
he became an actor, but never took any but secondary 
parts. Becoming an author, he made his debut by re¬ 
touching and adapting old plays. His first original pro¬ 
ductions date from 1589. He soon attracted the atten¬ 
tion of Queen Elizabeth, and became a protege of the 
earl of Southampton. He became proprietor of the 
Globe theatre, and having amassed a considerable fortune, 
retired into private life in 1610, and died in 1616. 
Shakespeare left thirty-five pieces. In the order of com¬ 
position, they stand as follows : “ Henry VI.” in two 

parts, 1589 ; “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 1592; 
“ Comedy of Errors,” 1593 ; “ Taming of the Shrew,” 
1594; “Love’s Labor Lost,” 1594; “Two Gentlemen of 
Verona,” 1595; “Borneo and Juliet,” 1595; “Hamlet,” 
1596 ; “King John,” 1596; “Bichard II.” and “Bichard 
III.,” 1597 ; “Henry IV.” in two parts, 1597-98 ; “Mer¬ 
chant of Venice,” 1598; “All’s Well That Ends Well,” 
1598; “Henry V.” 1599; “Much Ado About Nothing,” 
1600; “As You Like It,” 1600; “ Merry Wives of Wind¬ 
sor,” 1601; “Henry VIII.,” 1601; “ Troilus and Cressida,” 
1602; “ Measure for Measure,” 1603 ; “ Winter Tale,” 
1604; “King Lear,” 1604; “Cvmbeline,” 1605; “Mac¬ 
beth,” 1606; “ Julius Caesar,’’ 1607 ; “ Antony and 

Cleopatra,” 1608,; “Timon of Athens,” 1609 ; “ Cono- 
lanus,” 1610; “Othello,” 1611; “Tempest,” 1612; 
“Twelfth Night,” 1613. He left also two poems, “Venus 
and Adonis” and “ Bape of Lucretia,” as well as some 
sonnets. Shakespeare possessed all the qualities of a 
man of genius; he depicted energetically, and sustained 
his characters admirably. His tableaux are gracious even 


302 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[SI. 


when terrible ; often he attains the sublime. He is re¬ 
garded as the father of the romantic school. The greater 
number of his plays were not printed until after his 
death, and have undergone many serious alterations at 
the hands of copyists and managers. 

SIDDONS, (Sarah)—Celebrated English actress, was 
born in 1755, and died in 1831. She was daughter of 
Roger Kemble, director of a traveling company. Mar¬ 
rying Mr. Siddons, a member of the troupe, she devoted 
herself to the stage, and soon acquired such a reputation 
as to be called the “ queen of tragedy.” She retired from 
the profession in 1812. 

SIDNEY, (Algernon) — One of the martyrs of Eng¬ 
lish liberty, was born at London, in 1617, and was second 
son of Robert, earl of Leicester. He entered the service 
of the parliament, became lieutenant-general under Fair¬ 
fax, refused to sit in judgment against Charles I. and 
would not accept position under Cromwell. On the 
restoration of the Stuarts, he declined all favor from the 
court, and for seventeen years remained in exile. In 
1678, he was elected to the house of commons, and vigor- 
ously sustained the bill excluding the duke of York from 
the succession. Accused of complicity in the revolt of 
Monmouth (1683), he was condemned to death, and met 
his fate with stoical fortitude. He left a collection of 
valuable essays, entitled “ Discourses on Government.” 

SIEYES (Abbe )—French ecclesiastic and statesman, 
was born at Frejus, in 1748, and died at Paris, in 1836. 
He was a vicar-general,of the diocese of Chartres at the 
time when Louis XYI. decreed the convocation of the 


SI.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


303 


States-General, and published several pamphlets advo¬ 
cating the new ideas. Elected to the States-General, he 
found the nobility and clergy opposed to any union with 
the “ third estate,”* and hence he proposed the formation 
of a national assembly. Although much respected by 
his colleagues in the assembly, his want of oratorical 
energy, combined with a certain cloudiness in expressing 
his ideas, prevented him from exercising much influence. 
Upon the establishment of the “constitution of the 
clergy,” Sieyes was offered the see of Paris, but refused 
it. Called to the convention, he voted for the death of 
Louis XYI. He refused a ministerial portfolio under 
the Directory, but entered into the “ Council of Five 
Hundred,” and therein exercised a great influence. In 
1799 he became a member of the Directory, and distin¬ 
guished himself as an adversary of Barras. When Bona¬ 
parte returned from Egypt, he became intimate with the 
young hero, and was nominated one of the “ provisional 
consuls.” The overwhelming influence of Napoleon soon 

♦This name was applied to the popular branch of the “States 
General” of France, the other two branches being composed of the 
clergy and nobility. The first national assembly which took the title 
of “ States-General’ 7 was convoked by Philip IV., in 1302. They met 
also as follows : in 1308, to discuss the abolition of the Templars ; in 
1313, to debate upon the subject of tithes ; in 1317 and 1328, for the 
coronation of Philip V. and Philip VI., by the application of the Salic 
law ; in 1356, during the captivity of King John ; in 1380, to establish 
a regency during the minority of Charles VI. ; in 1420, to ratify the 
treaty of Troyes; in 1468, to prevent the dismemberment of Nor¬ 
mandy ; in 1484, to declare the majority of Charles VIII; in 1506, on 
the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Claude, daughter of Louis 
XII., with the Duke d’Angoulbme (Francis I.); in 1560, to discuss 
projects for new commercial laws ; in 1576, bn occasion of the troubles 
caused by the then rising “League;” in 1593, to exclude Ilenry IV. 
from the throne ; in 1614, at the majority of Louis XIII. 


304 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[SI. 


caused him to resign, and in compensation he received 
the titles of Senator, and Count of the Empire, together 
with the valuable domain of Crosne. Exiled by the 
Bourbons (1815), he fixed his residence at Brussells, but 
was allowed to return to France, in 1830. Sieyes was 
probably the first politician of his epoch ; he caused to 
be understood the importance of the “ third estate,” and 
prepared the most important measures of the revolution, 
such as the formation of the Assembly, the “ declaration 
of the rights of man,” the division of France into depart¬ 
ments instead of provinces. Many remarkable sayings 
of Sieyes are often quoted. Among them all, the best is 
probably that he directed against the Assembly when it 
voted the withdrawal of salary from the clergy : “ They 
want to he free , hut know not how to he just.” The prin¬ 
cipal work of Sieyes is a pamphlet bearing the title, 
“ What is the third estate ?—All! What has it been until 
now?—Nothing! What does it demand?—To become 
something.” 


SISMONDI (Charles Sismondo de ’)—Celebrated econo¬ 
mist and historian, was born at Geneva (1773), of Italian 
parents. He spent many years in England and Italy 
during the Swiss troubles consequent upon the French 
revolution. Returning to his native city, in 1800, he 
soon became known to fame on account of his political 
writings. As a member of the Council of Representa¬ 
tives, he combatted the ideas of the extreme democrats. 
He devoted the best part of his life to the composition 
of historical and literary works of great value, and died 
in 1842. His principal works are “Commercial Wealth,” 
in which he adopts the free-trade theory, (1803) ; “ New 


SM.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 305 

Principles of Political Economy/’ (1819); “Studies on 
Moral Science,” (1836), in which he abandoned his old 
commercial theories ; “ History of the Italian Republics,” 
(1807-18), a work condemned by the' Holy See; a 
“ History of the French,” (1821-44). 

SIXTUS V., (Felix Peretti)—Pope and Saint, was 
born at Montalto, in 1521. He was elected to the papacy 
in 1585, and displayed great administrative ability. He 
swept away the brigands who were devastating the States 
of the Church, embellished Rome with magnificent and 
useful monuments, totally reorganized the public admin¬ 
istration, and took an active part in the politics of the 
time. He died in 1590. 

SMITH, (John)—An English navigator, was born in 
1579, and died in 1631. He made three voyages to Vir¬ 
ginia (1606-1614), and founded Jamestown. Having 
fallen one day into the hands of Powhattan, a savage 
chief, he was about to be put to death, when his life was 
saved by Pocahontas, the chiefs daughter. 

SMITH, (Sir Wm, Sidney)—An English admiral, was 
born at Westminster, in 1764, and died in 1840. In 
1795 he was made prisoner by the French, and for two 
years was detained in the temple. He did much harm to 
the French during the Egyptian campaign, directing the 
defense of St. Jean d’Acre, and finally compelling Bona¬ 
parte to abandon the siege. In 1800 he concluded with 
Kleber the convention of El-Ahrich, by which the French 
agreed to leave Egypt. He protected Sicily while Naples 
was occupied by the 'French, and accompanied the king 
of Portugal to Brazil, when that monarch was obliged to 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


306 


[so, 


abandon his European dominions. In 1808 he retired 
into private life. 

SMOLLETT, (Tobias)—A Scotch historian and novel¬ 
ist, was born in 1720. His principal work is a “History 
of England,” which, though not so celebrated as that of 
Hume, had, nevertheless, a great success at the time. He 
died at Leghorn, Italy, in 1771. 

SOBIESKI, (Jbhn) or JOHN HI.—King of Poland, 
and one of the heroes of his country, was born in 1629, 
and entered the army in 1648. Created by Casimir Y. 
“ standard-bearer of the crown,” he took a glorious part 
in all the wars of the nation. In 1674 he was proclaimed 
king. He tried in vain to resuscitate Poland, but saved 
the empire of Austria by his victory over the Turks at 
the gates of Vienna, in 1683. He died in 1696, despair¬ 
ing of the future of his country. 

SOCINUS, (Lelius)—Famous heresiarch, was born at 
Sienna, Italy, in 1526. He commenced to announce his 
heresies about 1546 at Vicenza, starting with a denial of 
the divinity of Christ. He died in 1563. 

SOCRATES—Celebrated Greek philosopher, was born 
at Athens, in 470 B. C. He thought that he had received 
from the gods a mission to reform the morality of his 
countrymen, and soon collected a large number of dis¬ 
ciples. He fulfilled well all the duties of a citizen, both 
in peace and in war, and gave an example of every virtue 
known to Paganism. The oraele of Delphi proclaimed 
him the wisest of men. His rigid code of morals created 
against him many enemies, and he was accused even of 
corrupting his pupils, and of the equally heinous crime of 


so.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 307 

introducing false gods. He refused to defend himself, 
and although innocent, was condemned to die by poison 
(self-administered). Although his friends offered him 
the means of escape, he preferred to obey the law, and 
met his fate with courage, in 400 B. C. In the history of 
philosophy, Socrates marks a new epoch. He caused the 
philosophers to relinquish useless disputation, and to 
turn their attention to man and to morality; repeating 
always the phrase, “ Know thyself.” He always said, 
“ All that I know is that I know nothing,” thus combat¬ 
ting the pride of the sophists, who pretended to know 
everything. He created moral science, distinguishing the 
various virtues (prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice) ; 
recommended the practice of virtue as the sole means of 
arriving at happiness, and by arguments up to his time 
unknown, proved the existence of Providence and the 
immortality of the soul. Among his disciples, Socrates 
counted Xenophon, who faithfully promulgated his ideas ; 
Plato, who created a system of his own ; Antisthenes, 
founder of the Cynic school; Aristippus, who afterwards 
preached a very lax morality. In his “Memorabilia” 
Xenophon has left us some valuable details on Socrates. 
Plato treats of him in his dialogues, but he too frequently 
puts his own ideas forth as those of his master. 

SOLIMAN I. (entitled the Great )—Most celebrated of 
all the Ottoman sultans, was born in 1494, and ascended 
the throne in 1520. He made his first campaign in 1521, 
took Belgrade and the isle of Khodes, and in 1526 gained 
the great victory of Mohacz. Profiting by the dissensions 
of Ferdinand and John Zapolski, he recognized the latter 
as king of Hungary, and by him was acknowledged suze- 


308 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SO. 

rain of the kingdom. In 1529 he in vain besieged Vienna 
with 120,000 men. He concluded peace with the Empire, 
in 1538. He also fought the Persians, taking Van, in 
1523 ; Tauris, Bagdad, and part of Georgia, in 1536. He 
joined Tunis and Algiers to his dominions, and despoiled 
the Venetians of their last possessions in the Morea and 
the Archipelago. Breaking peace with Ferdinand after 
the death of John Zapolski (1540), he gave to Sigismond 
Zapolski the whole of Hungary and Transylvania (1541). 
In a second expedition against the Persians (1547), he 
conquered a large part of what is now called Southern 
Russia, and all of Georgia which he had not already 
subdued. Resuming the war in Hungary (1552-62), he 
took Lippa, Temesvar, and Veszprim, but was defeated at 
Agria (Eylau), and hence accorded a peace. In 1565 he 
in vain tried to reduce Malta. He died in 1566. Soliman 
was remarkable for bravery as well as for education and 
justice, and his reign may be regarded as the most bril¬ 
liant epoch of Ottoman history. 

SOMERSET (Edward Seymour , Duke of)—Was brother 
of Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII., and uncle 
of Edward VI. He was made by Henry VIII. viscount 
of Beauchamp Q536), viscount of Hertford (1537). By 
Edward he was created duke of Somerset and protector 
of the kingdom. He seized the authority of the crown, 
but his arrogance and Protestant bigotry soon caused a 
universal discontent among the people. Disgraced and 
deprived of his wealth, he was decapitated in 1552. 

SOPHOCLES—Celebrated Greek tragic poet, was born 
near Athens, about 495 B. C. He lived to be 90 years 


BO. 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


300 


old, and devoted all his life to the composition of pieces 
for the stage. His influence upon the dramatic art was 
immense ; it is to him, in fact, that tragedy owes all it 
1 possesses of regularity in arrangement for representation. 
He wrote one hundred and twentj^-three pieces, but only 
seven have come down to us : “ Philoctetus,” “Antigone,” 
“CEdipus Rex,” “ (Edipus Colonis,” “Ajax,” “Electra,” 
and the “ Trachinians.” The characteristics of Sophocles 
are harmony, correctness, capability to produce “stage- 
effect,” and nobility of conception. 

SOTO (Dominick)—A Spanish theologian, was born 
at Segovia, in 1494, and died in 1560. The son of a poor 
gardener, he made his first studies without a master, but 
joined the Dominican order 1524. He was sent to the 
Council of Trent by Charles V., and afterwards became 
confessor to that monarch. Chosen as an arbitrator on 
the occasion of the Indian dispute between Casas (see 
this name) and Sepulveda, he decided in favor of Casas, and 
thus mitigated in some measure the horrors of Indian 
slavery. He left some valuable treatises on Aristotle and 
Peter Lombard. 

SOTO (Ferdinand de )—A Spanish adventurer, followed 
Pizarro to Peru, and obtained from Charles V. permis¬ 
sion to undertake the expedition of Florida (1539). He 
was the first white man to sail up the Mississippi, and in 
its waters he was buried, 1542. 

SOULT (Nicholas)—Marshal of France, bbrn in 1769 
at Saint-Amans-la-Bastide (department of Tarn), enlisted 
at the age of 16, and by his skill and bravery won the 
grade of general of division in 1799, having, with only 


310 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[so. 


5,000 men, defeated at Liebtingen 30,000 Austrians. He 
seconded Massena in Switzerland, took part in the battle 
of Zurich, and pursued the debris of the army of Suvaroff. 
Following Massena into Italy (1800), he was covered with 
laurels by his operations around Genoa, then besieged by 
the Austrians, but fell into the hands of the enemy, hav¬ 
ing had his leg broken in the assault on Monte-Creto. 
After Napoleon’s victory at Marengo, he was released, 
and was charged with the command of the camp of St. 
Oiner, a camp designed by Napoleon for the training of his 
future heroes. In 1804 he was made a marshal, and 
in 1805 was placed at the head of the fourth corps of the 
“ grand army.” He commanded the centre at Austerlitz 
and decided the day ; after the victory, he was entrusted 
with the government of Vienna. He took a glorious part 
in the victories over the Prussians at Jena, Eylau, and 
Kcenigsberg. In 1808 he was sent into Spain, and dur¬ 
ing five years, he held the duke of Wellington in check, 
although the English had the advantages of a powerful 
fleet on the coast, an entire population on their side as 
guerillas, and money illimitable at their command. During 
this Spanish campaign, Soult gained the battle of Burgos, 
took la Corogne, le Ferrol, scattered the camp of Oporto, 
and on October 18, 1809 annihilated the enemy at Ocana. 
By this latter victory, he for a time sustained the totter¬ 
ing throne of Joseph Bonaparte. He now penetrated into 
Andalusia, took Seville, (1810), and invested Cadiz, but 
was obliged in 1812 to retreat into France. This retreat 
is regarded by all military scholars as the best performed 
since that of Xenophon. Attacked on all sides, he dis¬ 
puted every inch of ground, fighting, as it were, with his 
back to his objective point—the soil of France—and 


SO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 311 

finally cheated his enemies of their expected prey, having 
suffered a comparatively small loss. During the German 
campaign of 1813 he greatly distinguished himself, and 
at Bautzen he commanded the centre. The same year 
he was sent by Napoleon back to Spain to restore the 
failing fortunes of the French. Inch by inch he disputed 
the ground against the combined armies of Spain and 
England ; gave battle to the duke of Wellington, under 
the walls of Toulouse (April 10, 1814), though he had 
but 22,000 exhausted men against the 80,000 fresh troops 
of the “Iron Duke.” He did not lay down his arms 
until he saw the Bourbons reinstated—then he submitted 
with a bad grace. Upon the return of Napoleon from 
Elba, Soult received the position of “ general of the 
army,” and was therefore exiled by Louis XVIII. In 
1819 he was allowed to re-enter France, and in 1827 
Charles X. raised him to the peerage. When Louis 
Philippe ascended the throne (1830), Soult was made 
minister of war. He prepared in 1832 the glorious ex¬ 
pedition of Anvers In 1838 he represented France at 
the coronation of Queen Victoria of England; and by his 
olden foes was made the recipient of a veritable ovation. 
Forced at length by failing health to retire into private 
life (1847), he was accorded the exceptional title of 
“ marshal-general,” a title never born by any French 
officer, excepting Turenne, Villars, and de Saxe. He 
died in 1852. Napoleon called Soult the first maneu - 
verer of Europe. Such an encomium may be regarded as 
sufficient to justify our admiration of the hero. 

SOZOMENES (Hermias)—Historian, was born in Pal¬ 
estine at the commencement of the fifth century, and was 


812 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [SP. 

a lawyer at Constantinople. He composed an “Ecclesi¬ 
astical History” covering the years 324-439; and an 
“ Abridgment of History from the Ascension of Christ 
to the Death of Licinius, in 323.” He was a good writer, 
but a bad critic. 

SPARTACUS— A Thracian noble, was reduced to 
slavery by the Romans, and made a gladiator. With 
many of his companions he escaped from prison, about 
the year 73 B. C., and commenced to ravage the Campania; 
defeated the pretor, Claudius, the consuls Gellius and 
Lentullus (72); soon increased his desperate army to the 
number of 70,000 men. Seeing the impossibility of suc¬ 
cessfully combatting the republic, he wished to leave 
Italy, but an inundation of the Po, and the clamors of 
his army, induced him to march on Rome. Surrounded 
at Rhegium by the forces of Crassus, he tried to pass into 
Sicily, but was defeated and killed at Silarus, 71 B. C. 
Spartacus was as humane as he was intrepid. 

SPENSER, (Edmund)—A celebrated English poet, 
was born at London, in 1553, entered Pembroke Hall, 
Cambridge, in 15G9, and graduated in 1576. He obtained 
a grant of 3028 acres of land from the forfeited estate 
of the earl of Desmond, in the county Cork, and wrote 
his most celebrated poem, the “ Fairie Queene,” at Kil- 
cohnan castle, which is situated on it, near Doneraile. 
Spenser is classed with Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Milton, 
as one of the four great English poets. His writings are 
full of spleen towards the Irish. 

SPINOLA., (Ambrose, Marquis de ) — Celebrated 
Italian general, was born at Genoa, in 1571, and died in 


ST.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 313 

1630. Entering the Spanish service, he for a long time 
sustained the falling power of Spain in the Netherlands ; 
took Ostend, after a siege of three years (1604); took 
Breda (1621); matched against the French in order to 
aid the duke of Savoy, but incurring the unmerited dis¬ 
pleasure of Philip IV., he died of chagrin. 

SPINOSA, (Benedict)—A Dutch philosopher, was born 
at Amsterdam, in 1632, of a family of Portuguese Jews. 
He was educated in the religion of his ’fathers, but differ¬ 
ing with his brethren upon matters of faith, he was pro¬ 
scribed. He now changed his name ( Baruch ) to that 
of Benedict, and returning to one of the suburbs of 
Amsterdam, supported himself by the manufacture of 
optic lenzes, devoting his leisure hours to philosophical 
meditation. He finally died at the Hague, 1677. Spinosa 
was at first a disciple of Descartes (see this name), but he 
soon began to think for himself. He invented a system 
of pantheism, in which he admitted one only substance, 
the infinite God. 

STAEL, (Anne Louise, Necker, Baroness de) — Born at 
Paris in 1766, was daughter of Necker, minister of 
finance under Louis XVI. In 1786 she married the 
Baron de Stael, ambassador of Sweden to France. On 
the outbreak of the revolution, she addressed to the 
convention a memorial in defense of the queen. She was 
the principal means of placing Talleyrand in the political 
arena (1796). Napoleon exiled her forty leagues from 
Paris (1802) but allowed her to return in 1808. In her 
work entitled “Germany,” she greatly displeased the 

emperor (1810), and was ordered to reside at her do- 
* 14 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


314 


[ST. 


main of Coppet (canton of Valid.) In 1815 she 

received from Louis XVIII. $400,000, compensation for 

sums due her father by Louis XVI. She died at Paris, 

July 14, 1817. She had been remarried secretly, to M. 
v * 

de Roeca, a young officer of merit. Madame de Stael, 
was a fine writer, but, woman-like, she spoke better than 
she wrote. In her works are to be found a depth of 
thought and soundness of logic only too rare in her sex, 
but her style is very fatiguing. 

STAFFORD, (William Howard , Earl of)—Second son 
of the sixth duke of Norfolk, was born in 1611, and 
created earl of Stafford in 1640, by Charles I. He fol¬ 
lowed Charles II. into exile, and on the restoration was 
loaded with favors. Accused by the whigs of high 
treason, he was condemned and executed, although the 
feeble Charles w r as convinced of his innocence, (1680). 


STEELE, (Richard)—An English writer, was born 
in 1671, and died in 1729. At first an ensign in the 
army, he devoted his youth to dissipation. He finally 
became an author, and joined Addison in the editorship 
of the Spectator , 1711. The pungency of his style soon 
gained for him a great reputation, and he was elected to 
the house of commons. In the reign of Queen Anne, 
the tories expelled him as a libellist from the house, but 
King George I. restored him to favor. 

STERNE (Laurence)—An original writer, was born in 
1713, at Clonmel, Ireland, and died in 1768. He became 
an Anglican minister, and in 1741 fixed his residence at 
York, England. He published (1760-67) his “Tristram 
Shandy,” a work of a style and genus hitherto unknown, 


ST.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 315 

and which caused much scandal. The publication of a 
volume of sermons caused his appointment to the pres¬ 
bytery of Coxwold. Exhausted by dissipation, Sterne 
made a trip to France to restore his health (1767), and 
on his return produced his “ Sentimental Voyage/’ pro¬ 
bably the best of his works. He was very piquant and 
sentimental, but his own licentious life is too often re¬ 
flected in his pages. 

STILLINGFLEET (Edward) — An English contro¬ 
versialist (1635-99) was Anglican bishop of Worcester. 
In his writings he attacked Catholics, Presbyterians, 
Socinians, and Deists, but fell himself into a kind of 
scepticism. His principal works are “ Origines Sacrse/’ 
(1662), in which he explains the foundation of natural 
and revealed religion ; “ Origines Britannicee,” (1685), a 
work full of research. 

STOLBERG (Francis)—Born in Holstein, 1750, died in 
1819. When quite young he gave himself to literature, 
traveled in Switzerland and Italy, and finally was ap¬ 
pointed ambassador of Oldenburg to Copenhagen. He 
fulfilled many important missions to Berlin and St. Peter- 
burg, and was placed by the prince-bishop of Lubeck at 
the head of the financial department. In 1800 he be¬ 
came a Catholic. His principal works are translations 
of the classics, and a “ History of the Christian Religion.” 

STRAFFORD (Thomas Westworth, Earl of)—An En¬ 
glish statesman, was born at London, in 1592. In parlia¬ 
ment be opposed Buckingham, and defended the cause 
of the people. He gave the example of refusing to pay 
illegal taxes, and was exiled. Returning to parliament, 


316 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [sU. 

in 1628, he caused to be adopted the “ Bill of Bights.’* 
After the death of Buckingham, Charles I. made him earl 
of Strafford, and governor of Ireland (1632-39.) From 
this time the opposition regarded him as a renegade. 
Strafford sustained Charles during the time that prince 
governed without parliament, and raised unathorized 
taxes. Summoned to the bar of the house of lords, he was 
condemned and executed, May 12, 1611. 

STRICKLAND, (Agnes)—An English historian, born 
in Suffolk, 1806, was the authoress of “ Lives of the Eng¬ 
lish Queens,” etc., “ Lives of Scottish Queens and English 
Princesses,” etc., “Letters of Mary Queen of Scots, from 
the Originals,” and wrote some romances and poems. 
Her sister, Catharine Parr, and her brother, Samuel, 
were also distinguished writers. Samuel died in 1861. 

SUGER ( abbe )—Minister of State, was born at Saint 
Omer, in 1082. He became abbot of the monastery of 
St. Denis in 1122. Louis YI. made him his counselor 
and guide. He ameliorated the laws, the external rela¬ 
tions of France, improved her social condition, and 
favored enfranchisement of the communes. Under Louis 
VII. he disapproved of the departure of that prince for 
the crusade ; but during his absence acted as regent, and 
so wise was his administration, that he was entitled 
“ Father of his country.’* Towards the end of his life 
the world was astonished to behold him forget his former 
policy and preach a new crusade. He raised himself 
10,000 men, and he was about to conduct them into Asia 
at his own expense, when he suddenly died, in 1152. 




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DEAN SWIFT. 























BW.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 319 

SULLY (Maximilian de JBethune, Duke de)—Minister 
of State, was born at Rosny, in 1560. From youth he 
was the companion of Henry IV., and in 1597 was made 
by that king minister of finance, and greatly distinguished 
himself in that capacity, without giving umbrage to the 
people by excessive taxation. To the office of minister 
of finance, he joined the positions of governor of the 
Bastile, grand-master of artillery, inspector of the marine, 
and governor of Poitou. On the death of Henry he re¬ 
tired from the court. Louis XIII. made him marshal in 
1634. He lived and died a Calvinist, though he was 
the cause of Henry’s becoming a Catholic. He died in 
1641. Henry IV. and Sully were united by the strong¬ 
est bonds of friendship, yet the minister never allowed 
their affection to interfere with his duty to France. 

SWEDENBORG- (Emmanuel) — Famous theologian, 
was born at Stockholm, in 1688, and died in 1772. He 
pretended to receive divine revelations, and to converse 
with the souls of the dead. Acknowledging a material 
and a spiritual world, he finds in the latter, though 
under another form, all that exists in the former. In 
the scriptures he admits a natural, a spiritual, and a 
celestial sense. His sect yet subsists, though small in 
numbers. 

SWIFT (Jonathan')—Celebrated writer, was born in 
Dublin, Ireland, in 1667. When young he went to Eng¬ 
land, and, under the patronage of Sir William Temple, 
entered the ecclesiastical state in the Anglican establish¬ 
ment. He finally became dean of St. Patrick’s, Dublin. 
Several pamphlets written by him in the interest of the 
tories gained for him the favor of the privy council of 


820 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[ta. 


Queen Anne. The death of Anne put an end to his 
political career, and retiring to Ireland, he died in 1745. 
He was very intimate with - two women, whom he has 
rendered famous,’ and who both tenderly loved him : 
Stella, whom he married ; and Esther Yan Homrigh, who 
died of jealousy. The best works of Swift are the 
“Travels of Gulliver”—an allegorical sketch, full of allu¬ 
sions to the politicians and circumstances of the time— 
and the “ Prophecy of Bickerstaff.” The style of Swift 
is peculiarly humorous, though he cloaks his wit with an 
apparent seriousness. , 

SYLVESTER (Saint)—Pope from 314 to 336, con¬ 
voked the council of Nice, (325). During his reign the 
persecutions against the Christians ceased, Constantine 
having become a convert to the new religion. 

T. 

TACITUS, (Caius Cornelius)—A Roman historian, 
was born in Umbria, Italy, about 54, and was at first a 
lawyer. In 79 he married a daughter of Agricola, and 
was made governor of a province (89-93), and consul in 
97. He died about 130. He was one of the first orators 
of his age. Few of his works have reached us. We 
have a portion of his “ Annals his “ Histories” (books 
1-4, second part of the 5th, the 6th, 11th, 15th, and the 
beginning of the 16th); the life of “Agricola,” the “Cus¬ 
toms of the Germans,” and a “ Dialogue on the Causes of 
Corruption in Eloquence.” Tacitus is profound and con¬ 
cise ; he is a vivid painter ; his ideas are liberal, and he 
lashes tyranny with an unsparing hand. He is exact also. 


ta.] compendium of biography. 321 

writing only on what he himself saw, or what he heard 
from contemporary authorities. 

TALBOT (John)—First earl of Shrewsbury, surnamed 
the Achilles of England , was born in 1373, of a Norman 
family originally from Caux. He distinguished himself 
at the siege of Orleans against the troops of Charles VII. 
commanded by Joan of Arc. Losing the battle of Patay, 
he was captured by Xaintrailles, who released him with¬ 
out ransom. He soon had an opportunity of reciproca¬ 
ting the courtesy. As recompense for his services, he was 
created earl of Shrewsbury, Wexford, and Waterford. In 
1452 he conquered Ouyenne, but lost the battle of Castil- 
lon (1453), and died on the field. 

TALLEYRAND-PERIGORD, (Charles Maurice de) 
bishop of Autun, and prince of Benevento, was born at 
Paris in 1754, and died in 1838. Adopting the principles 
of the Revolution, he celebrated Mass in the Champ- 
de-Mars, the day of federation (July 14, 1790); accepted 
the new constitution of the clergy, and consecrated the 
bishops friendly to the new order of things. For this 
latter deed, he was excommunicated. Sent as ambas¬ 
sador to London by Louis XVI., he was expelled from 
England in 1793, and going to America, went into com¬ 
merce. Returning to France under the Directory, he 
obtained the post of minister of foreign affairs. Under 
Napoleon, he negotiated the treaties of Luneville, 
Amiens, Presburg, and Tilsit; was made grand-cham¬ 
berlain to the emperor, and prince of Benevento. Disap¬ 
proving of the Spanish campaign, he was compelled to 
resign his portfolio. He now intrigued for the restoration 
of the Bourbons, and in 1814 became a member of the 


322 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [TA. 

provisional government. He was no stranger to the revo¬ 
lution of 1830, and in reward received from Louis Phil¬ 
ippe the English mission, concluding, while so occupied, 
the great object of his life, an English alliance. He also 
signed the treaty called the “ Quadruple Alliance,” be¬ 
tween France, England, Spain, and Belgium (1834), 
thus assuring the neutrality of Belgium, and securing to 
Isabella the throne of Spain. He now retired into pri¬ 
vate life. Talleyrand was, perhaps, the ablest diplomatist 
of his day ; but as a priest he merits reproach. Never¬ 
theless, he died a Christian death. 

TALMA (Francis Joseph) French tragedian, was born 
at Paris in 1763, and died in 1826. He was the first actor 
of his time, and may be regarded as the regnerator of 
theatrical art, especially in all that relates to correctness 
of costume. Napoleon was very fond of him, and ad¬ 
mitted him to his intimacy. 

TAMERLANE — Celebrated Mongol conqueror, was 
born near Samarcand, in 1336, and descended by the 
female side from G-enghis-Kahn. Proclaiming himself 
Khan, in 1370, he conquered all Eastern Asia, invaded 
and subdued Persia (1389), and turning his arms against 
Russia, took and pillaged Azov. He now turned his 
attention to India, capturing Delhi from Mahomet IV., 
and soon subduing the whole land. In 1400 he con¬ 
quered Egypt, and in 1402 defeated the Ottoman Sultan 
Bajazet, at Ancyra. In 1404 he marched against China, 
but died at Otrar, in Khokand. Tamerlane was fanatical 
and cruel ; Delhi, Damascus, and Bagdad were burnt by 
him, and he put to death over 100,000 prisoners. At 
Bagdad he erected an obelisk composed of 90,000 skulls. 


TA.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


323 


TARQUIN II. (The Proud)—Seventh and last king of 
Rome, entered into a conspiracy with his wife Tullia, 
daughter of King Servius, to dethrone her father, and 
ascended the throne in 534 B. C. He abolished all laws 
favorable to the people, oppressed the Romans with 
taxes, and governed in general as a tyrant. He was ne¬ 
vertheless an active warrior and able politician. Under 
liis reign the Latin cities confederated with Rome as the 
capitol. It was under Tarquin also that the .Sibylline 
books were written. Tarquin himself superintended the 
siege of Ardea, and it was during this siege that the 
brutality of his son Sextus with regard to Lucretia caused 
a terrible insurrection at Rome. Royalty was abolished 
and the republic proclaimed (509 B. C.) Tarquin and-, 
all his family were banished. He several times tried to 
regain the throne, but in vain. He died at the age 
of 83. 

TASSO (Torquato)—Celebrated Italian poet, was born 
at Sorrento, in 1544. He at first studied law, but soon 
devoted his attention to poetry. At the age of 18 he 
attracted public attention by the composition of a poem 
entitled “ Renaud.’* In 1565 he was called to the court 
of Ferrara by Alphonsus II. ; followed Cardinal d’Este 
(1571), and was well received by Charles IX. ; re¬ 
turning to Ferrara, he caused to be played (1573) a 
pastoral drama, “Aminta,” and finished his “Jerusalem 
Delivered,” in 1575. This poem not receiving the at¬ 
tention it merited, Tasso engaged in violent discus¬ 
sions in its defence ; at the same time he suffered much 
at the court of Ferrara on account of an unfortu¬ 
nate passion for the beautiful Leonora, one of the 


324 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [TA. 

sisters of the duke. His reason wandered, and he 
suddenly left Ferrara without money and without an 
object (1577). Returning 'to Naples he there found 
a sister, who endeavored in vain to calm his agitated 
spirits. He soon wandered through Mantua, Urbino, and 
Turin ; but finding happiness nowhere, risked a return to 
Ferrara (1579). The irritated duke shut him up in a 
mad-house, and only restored him to liberty, in 1586, at 
the pressing solicitations of the Pope and many Italian 
princes. From this time Tasso spent a life of misery 
between Mantua, Naples, and Rome. In spite of the 
unjust criticisms of the envious, Pope Clement the VIII. 
at last called him to reside at Rome, and he was about to 
be solemnly crowned at the capitol as Poet-Laureate of 
Italy, when he suddenly died (1595), of a fever which for a 
long time had been undermining his constitution. Besides 
“ Jerusalem Delivered,” Tasso also composed another 
epic called “Jerusalem Reconquered” (1593), but this 
work having been written during the period of his de¬ 
rangement, is far inferior to its companion. He pub¬ 
lished many other works, but his imperishable fame rests 
upon these two. By the grandeur of his conceptions, 
the development of his characters, the richness of his 
images, the harmony of his style, Tasso occupies a rank 
equal to that of Virgil and Milton. 

TAYLOR, (Zachary) — Twelfth president of the Uni¬ 
ted States, was born in Virginia, in 1784. In 1808 he 
entered the army as a lieutenant, and during the war of 
1812 he so distinguished himself against the Indian chief 
Tecumseh as to merit the rank of major. In 1832 he 
served in the Black Hawk war as a colonel, and during 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGRAPHY. 


325 


TE.] 

the campaign against the Seminoles, in 1836, he so de¬ 
cisively defeated the enemy that he was appointed briga¬ 
dier-general. During the war between the United States 
and Mexico, 1846-48, he gained the victory of Palo Alto, 
May 8, 1846 ; and a few days after, that of Resaca de la 
Palma. September 9, with only 6,625 men he attacked 
Monterey, defended by 10,000 regulars, and after ten days* 
siege and three days’ hard fighting, he captured the place. 
He defeated Santa Anna and 21,000 regulars, at Buena 
Vista, having only himself 5,000 volunteers and 500 
regulars. Nominated as president, he was triumphantly 
elected, and entered upon the duties of his office in 1850. 
Unused to the hurly-burly of politics, the old soldier was 
soon exhausted, and died four months after his inaugura¬ 
tion, July 9, 1850-. 

TELL, (William)—A Swiss patriot, was born the latter 
part of the thirteenth century. Having refused to salute 
the cap of the tyrant Gessler, Austrian governor of the 
country, he was condemned to death, and only escaped, 
it is said, in pleasing the tyrant by shooting with an 
arrow an apple placed upon the head of his son. He was 
nevertheless declared a state prisoner, and embarked on 
the lake of Lucerne, for the castle of Kussnachs. Upon 
landing, Tell succeeded in escaping, and hiding himself in 
ambush, shot Gessler as he passed by. The story of the 
apple is probably a fable, since the same legend is found 
among the Danes.. Tell assisted at the battle of Morgar- 
ten, 1315, and died in 1354, at Burglen. 

TERENCE — A comic Latin poet, born about 193 B. C., 
at Carthage, in Africa, was a slave of the senator Teren- 
tius Lucanus, and from his master received a educa- 


326 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [TH. 

tion and afterwards his freedom. He enjoyed the friend¬ 
ship of Scipio Emilianus and. of Lelius. He traveled in 
Greece and in Asia, and returned with 108 compositions 
of Menander, but lost them all in a shipwreck, and died 
soon afterwards of grief, in 159. The style of Terence 
is pure and elegant, his composition regular ; but he is 
wanting in plot, and his movement is irregular. 

TETZEL, (John)—A Dominican friar, was born about 
1470, at Pyrna, in Misnia. Charged by Leo X. to publish 
in Germany the indulgences accorded by that pontiff, 
he excited the anger and envy of the Augustinians, and 
above all, that of Luther. This was the commencement 
of the “reformation/’ Tetzel was reprimanded by his 
superiors, and died of chagrin, at Leipsic, in 1519. 

THEMISTOCLES — An illustrious Athenian, born 
535 B. C., early signalized himself by his courage, and 
took part in the battle of Marathon, 490 B. C. After he 
was heard to say that the trophies of Meltiades (who had 
commanded at Marathon) prevented him from sleeping. 
When Xerxes invaded Greece (480), he was placed at the 
head of the Athenian forces. He persuaded his fellow- 
citizens to evacuate the city, and take refuge in their 
ships. By the naval battle of Salamis, 480, he annihi¬ 
lated the Persian marine. He rebuilt the walls of 
Athens, and, despite Spartan opposition, fortified the 
Piraeus. All his efforts were directed to the humiliation 
of Sparta, and the aggrandizement of Athens. On her 
side, Sparta carried on intrigues against him in the heart 
of Athens, and succeeded in procuring his banishment 
for five years. Seeking an asylum with Artaxerxes of 


TH -] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 327 

Persia, Tkemistocles is said to have poisoned himself 
when that prince wished < him to bear arms against 
Greece, 470 B. C. 

THEODORIC— King of the Ostrogoths, was born in 
Pannonia about 455. Sent as a hostage to Constanti¬ 
nople when only 8 years old, he acquired a good educa¬ 
tion. In 472, upon the death of his father, Theodomer, 
he became king. In 477 he took part in the re-establish¬ 
ment of the Emperor Zeno, and in compensation was 
made captain of the guards. In 487, with the connivance 
of the Eastern emperor, he invaded Italy, then in the 
power of Odoacer, subdued the entire land, iorced 
Odoacer to capitulate at Ravenna (493), and while pre¬ 
tending to allow him to share the kingdom with himself, 
stabbed him a few days after. Being now sole master of 
Italy, he conquered also Rhetia, Noricum, Pannonia, and 
Illyria, extending his rule even over Gothia, by his vic¬ 
tory at Artes over a son of Clovis. In Italy, he favored 
commerce and letters, but towards the end of his life, he 
became cruel and suspicious. He died about 526. 

THEODOSIUS I. (called “the Great” )—Roman em¬ 
peror, born in Spain in 346, was son of that Count 
Theodosius whom Valens, emperor of the West, put to 
death upon false suspicions, although he had rendered 
to the empire the most valuable services. The feeble 
Gratianus had sense enough to realize the necessity of 
associating with himself a man capable of defending the 
integrity of the empire, and hence he proclaimed Theo¬ 
dosius emperor of the East, in place of Yalens, who had 
just died, in 379. By his generosity towards the Visi¬ 
goths, Theodosius made of them valuable allies. Gra- 


328 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [tH, 

tiamis being dethroned by Maximus in 383, and young 
Yalentinian II., brother of Gratianus, being menaced 
with the same fate, Theodosius offered his mediation, and 
by the recognition of Maximus as “ Augustus,” obtained 
the acknowledgment of peace between Valentinian and 
his enemies. Notwithstanding all this, Maximus took up 
arms against Yalentinian (387), and Theodosius was 
forced to march against him. Defeating him and taking 
him prisoner in Pannonia, Theodosius put Maximus to 
death, at Aquileia, in 388. Two years afterwards, Valen¬ 
tinian perished, — victim of his favorite Arbogastes — 
and Eugenius ( rhetor ) succeeded him in his precari¬ 
ous position. Against Eugenius, in 394, Theodosius 
directed a campaign, and vanquished him at Aquileia, 
in 394. By the death of Yalentinian, Theodosius re¬ 
mained sole master of the empire, but he himself died 
the following year. Theodosius was as great in peace as 
in war ; but the imminent ruin of the colossal empire of 
Rome was only retarded for an instant by his brilliant 
reign. The great cities of the empire were at this period 
endeavoring to shake off the too centralizing tendencies 
of their supreme rulers, and one of this species of strug¬ 
gle very well illustrates both the eminent piety of Theo¬ 
dosius and the apostolic spirit which generally animates 
the Catholic priesthood. The inhabitants of Thessalo- 
nica, during a moment of excitement, had insulted the 
emperor by dragging his statue from its pedestal. In his 
rage, Theodosius ordered a general massacre, and 7,000 
people perished. When the emperor came to attend 
mass at the cathedral of Milan, St. Ambrose, archbishop 
of Milan, refused to allow him to enter the church, until 
he had done penance for his sin. Theodosius answered 


TH.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 329 

the holy prelate, “ David also sinned.” St. Ambrose firmly 
responded, “You have imitated David in sin—imitate him 
now in repentance! ” Theodosius obeyed, and so deeply 
did he ever after revere the saintly archbishop, that, when 
dying, he begged of his rebuker to act, if necessary, the 
same part towards his children. 

THERESA, (Saint)—Reformer of the order of the 
Carmelites, and one of the most truly “ strong-minded 
women ” that ever lived, was born at Avila, Spain, in 1515, 
of a rich and noble family. While yet a mere child, she 
displayed a most fervent zeal in the cause of religion, and 
went so far as to accompany her young brother, when he 
took it into his head to run away from their comfortable 
home, in order to seek martyrdom among the infidels. 
She joined the Carmelite order in 1534, and after many 
vicissitudes in the spiritual life, (see Alban Butler’s Lives 
of the Saints ), she conceived the idea of reforming her 
order. In 1562 she established at Avila a “model-house,” 
and between 1566-82, encouraged sixteen convents to 
a more strict observance of their rule. Inspired by 
Theresa, St. John of the Cross reformed the male Carme¬ 
lites. She died at the convent of Alba, in 1582, and was 
canonized by Pope Gregory XV. in 1621, her feast being 
appointed for the 15th October. Her works consist of 
“ Letters,” “ Statutes of the Carmelites,” “ Histories,” 
“Ascetic Treatises,” “Poems,” &c. Her poems are regard¬ 
ed by the Spaniards as worthy of a place among their 
best authors. The “ history of her life” is worthy of the 
perusal of the student, just as it is worthy of the medi¬ 
tation of a devout soul. Her “ Road of Perfection,” her 
“ Castle of the Soul,” her “ Thoughts on the Love of 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


330 


[th. 


God,” are as remarkable for elevation of style as they are 
for order of sentiment. 


THIERRY (Augustine)—A French historian, was born 
at Blois, in 1795, and died in 1856. By the reading of 
the “ Martyrs ” of Chateaubriand (see this name), young 
Thierry felt himself called to the vocation of an historian. 
After a good course of study, he was appointed (1813) as 
professor of grammar at the college of Compiegne, but 
the invasion of 1814 compelled him to flee to Paris, 
where he became the favorite disciple of Saint Simon (see 
this name), and so great was their mutual affection that he 
was called his master’s “ adopted son.” His spirit, how¬ 
ever, was too jus4 and independent to remain very long, 
as it were, in such shackles, and hence about 1817 he 
separated from his theorizing and speculative master, 
and entering the lines of the “ liberal press,” became a 
member of the editorial staff of the “European Censor.” 
In 1827 he published his “Letters on the History of 
France” already given to the public in the “French 
Courrier ” in the shape of articles—a work in which he 
developed the new ideas destined to regenerate the na¬ 
tional spirit. Retiring from the press, he devoted his 
life to historical research, and in 1821 published a “ His¬ 
tory of the Norman conquest of England ”—a work com¬ 
posed from sources till then unexplored, and in which 
the studious world found many unexpected revelations 
with regard to the long struggle between the Norman 
and the Anglo-Saxon races. Losing his eyesi«ht on 
account of his assiduous labor, Thierry nevertheless 
clung to his favorite studies, and produced,- by the aid 
of some friends, “ Ten Years of.Historical Study,” (1839); 


TH.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 331 

“Narratives of the Merovingians,’’ (1840) ; “Monuments 
of the History of the ‘Third Estate,’’’ 1849-56; “His¬ 
tory of the Formation and Progress of the ‘Third Estate,’” 
1853. Chateaubriand entitled Thierry the Homer of 
History. 

THOMAS (Saint)—Called “Aquinas,” from the name 
of his family—-the Counts d’Aquino—was born at the 
castle of llocca-Secca in the kingdom of Naples, in 1227. 
When quite young he joined the Dominican order, and 
studied under Albert “ the Great.” The university of 
Paris conferred upon him the “ doctor’s cap ” (1255), and 
he immediately commenced to teach theology, obtaining 
at once a great reputation. Sent to Naples to occupy the 
chair of theology of his order in that capital, he died two 
years afterwards at Fossa Nuova, when about to go to the 
Council of Lyons. St. Thomas was the most profound 
theologian of his age, and he is entitled not only “ Angel 
of the Schools” and “Angelic Doctor,” but also “Uni¬ 
versal Doctor.” His learning was great indeed, but his 
piety was greater. He was canonized, and his feast is 
celebrated March 7, and July 18. Besides his treatises 
on dogmatic theology, he left us commentaries on Aris¬ 
totle, on the Scriptures, and on the “Master of Sen¬ 
tences ” (P. Lombard), as well as some hymns, viz. : 
“Lauda Sion,’’ “ Pange Lingua,” “Verburu Supernum,” 
&c. His principal works are a “ Summary of the Catholic 
Faith against the Gentiles,” and an excellent “ Summary 
of Theology.’’ In these latter works, under a syllogistic 
form, he treated the principal questions of theology, 
morality, and philosophy. In metaphysics, St. Thomas 
was an “ idealistin morality he sustained the absolute 


332 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [TI. 

distinction between good and evil, and reconciled the 
free will of man with the foresight and omnipotence of 
God, as well as the existence of evil with God’s goodness. 

THUCYDIDES—A Greek historian, native of Athens, 
was born about 471 B. C., and died about 395 B. C. He left 
us a “History of the War of the Peloponnesus” (up to 412) 
in eight books. This work is one of the best written by 
any ancient author, and it shows its writer to have been 
both a man of fine military knowledge and a good poli¬ 
tician. He is impartial, apparently well-informed, judi¬ 
cious, and methodical. His style is vigorous, and he is 
very logical in argument ; he is, however, a little dry and 
obscure. 

TIBERIUS (Claudius Nero) — Second emperor of 
Rome, was born in the year 42 B. C. When a mere boy 
he distinguished himself in the wars against the Canta¬ 
brians and the Germans ; finally conquering the latter 
in the year 8 B. C. His life from this time was one of 
fluctuating fortune until the death of Augustus, A. D., 
14, when he succeeded in seizing the supreme power, 
although feigning to accept it only at the pressing in¬ 
vitation of the senate. He put to death Posthumus, the 
last surviving son of Agrippa, and Germanicus, of whom 
he was jealous on account of the devotion of the army 
towards that prince. His reign was one of constant 
cruelty and injustice, and to escape the threatening ven¬ 
geance of the Romans, he established his residence (26'i 
on the island of Capri, in the gulf of Naples. He died in 
37. Tiberius may be regarded as the type of a suspicious 
and cruel tyrant, but he was gifted with fine administra¬ 
tive talent. 


ti.] compendium op biogkaphy. 333 

TILLY (John, Tzarclaes, Coudt de )—Famous general, 
was born at Brussels, Belgium. Entering the army when 
young, he became, during the “Thirty-years' war,” a 
lieutenant of Maximilian of Bavaria (then head of the 
Catholic league), and took an essential part in the victory 
of Montagne-Blanche. He captured the fortresses of 
Pilsen and Tabor, but was beaten by the Protestants at 
"Wislock. Notwithstanding, he soon retook the offensive, 
and gained the battles of Wimpfen, Hochst, Loen, and 
Lutter. When Wallenstein was dismissed by the emperor 
Ferdinand II., Tilly succeeded him as general-in-chief of 
the imperalists (1630). But soon Gustavus Adolphus 
hurled his legions on Germany. Tilly, master of Lower 
Saxony, and of the fortresses in Schleswig and Holstein, 
took, after an obstinate siege, the city of Magdebourg 
and pillaged it. He however lost the decisive battle 
of Leipsic (1631), and being forced to retire into Bavaria, 
in vain endeavored to prevent Gustavus from crossing 
the Lech. Completely beaten, and mortally wounded, he 
died a few days after (1632), at Ingolstadt. 

TIPPOO-SAHIB (called “the Brave ’’)—Last native 
sovereign of Mysore, was son of Haider-Ali, and born 
in 1749. From his youth he was distinguished for his 
courage, and for his hatred of the English invaders 
of his country. When he mounted the throne (1782), 
he forced the enemy to evacuate Bendor and to sign a 
disadvantageous peace. He took the title of sultan of 
India, and displayed a ruinous prodigality. In a few 
years he attacked the rajah of Travancore, and the 
English taking sides with the latter, besieged Tippoo in 
S.eringapatam, and compelled him to cede half of his 


334 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[ti< 


dominions, and to pay fifteen millions of dollars. From 
this time he sought the alliance of the French, and was 
again besieged in Seringapatam (1799) by the English, 
and fell during the final assault, May 4. 

TITUS, (Flavius Sabinus^ Yespasianus) — Eldest son 
and successor to Yespasian, born in the year 40, had been 
a tribune during the campaigns of Germany and Great 
Britain, and afterwards questor, when in 66 he followed 
his father into Judea. Left by Yespasian—just then pro¬ 
claimed emperor, and departed for Italy—young Titus 
pushed the war with energy, and took Jerusalem, Sep¬ 
tember 8, 70. He succeeded to the throne in 79. He 
now renounced his hitherto licentious life, and devoted his 
energies to the improvement of his subjects. Death, how¬ 
ever, prevented him from carrying out all his ideas, in 81. 

TITUS LIYIUS, (commonly called “Livy”)—Famous 
Latin historian, was born at Padua, in 59 B. C. He 
enjoyed the protection of Augustus, and after the death 
of that prince he retired to Padua, where lie died in 18 
A. D. Livy left us a “History of Borne” up to the death 
of Drusus. It is divided into 140 books, grouped by 
tens, and entitled Decades. We have only about thirty- 
five of these books (1st to the 10th, 21st to the 45th, and 
some fragments, most of* which belong to the 91st book). 
The chief merit of Livy is in his style and narration— 
the former is pure and elegant, the latter clear and 
methodical. He faithfully narrates all absurd traditions, 
even though not believing them himself. 

TITIAN, (Tiziano VeceUi, entitled the )—Celebrated 
Italian painter, was born in 1477, at Pieve di Cadora. 


TO.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


335 


W hen a mere youth he received from the Venetian senate 
the title of First Painter of the Republic, and was em¬ 
ployed by Alphonsus d’Este to decorate his "palace of 
Castello. Pope Leo X. and Francis I. tried in vain to 
induce him to establish his residence in their respective 
dominions, but he preferred the court of Charles V. He 
died at Venice, in 1576. Titian was one of the best—if 
not the best colorist, that ever lived; but as a designer, 
he was quite inferior. 

TOCQUEVILLE, (Alexis Clerel de )—A French pub¬ 
licist, was barn in 1805, at Verneuil, and died in 1859. 
Together with Beaumont, he was appointed, in 1831, to 
investigate the prison system of the United States, and 
his observations upon the working of the institutions of 
the young republic caused him to produce, in 1835, his 
“Democracy in America,” which obtained for him a seat in 
the Academy. Elected to parliament in 1839, hn took part 
with the opposition, but always combatted socialism. In 
1849 he was called to the ministry of foreign affairs, and 
approved of the expedition to Rome. After the coup 
d'etat of Louis Napoleon, he retired into private life. 

TONE, (Theobald Wolfe) — Celebrated Irish patriot, 
was born at Dublin, in 1763, and died in 1798. Although 
an Anglican, he espoused the cause of the Catholics, and 
by the whigs was elected to parliament. Compelled to 
flee, he sought refuge in France, and besought the Direc¬ 
tory to encourage an Irish insurrection by the sending of 
a French army into the island. As adjutant-general, he 
accompanied the expedition of General Hardi, in 1798; 
but being taken by the English, he committed suicide 
in prison. 


336 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [tU. 

TORQUEMADA, (Thomas)—First inquisitor-general 
of Spain, was born at Yalladolid, in 1420, and died in 
1498. He was a Dominican friar. So rigorous was he in 
the exercise of his official power, that Popes Sixtus IY. 
and Alexander VI. were obliged to interfere, and bring 
him to moderation. 

TOTILA — King of the Ostrogoths, in Italy, (541-52), 
was at first duke of Trioul. By his perseverance and 
courage, he greatly aided the dying monarchy ; took from 
the Greek emperors the cities of Cuma, Naples, Bene- 
vento, Spoleto, Piacenza, Florence, and finally Rome, 
but lost most of his conquests at the hands of Belisarius 
(545-47). He regained some of his advantages, however, 
when Belisarius departed, and even penetrated into Sicily. 
He was finally* defeated by Narses, at Tajina, in the Ap- 
penines, and died a few days after. 

TRAJAN, (Marcus Ulpius Crinitus)— Roman emperor, 
was born at Italica, in 52, and under Domitian so dis¬ 
tinguished himself for military skill as to be entrusted 
with the command of the legions of Lower Germany. 
Adopted by Nerva, he became emperor (98) on the 
death of that prince. His reign is noted for his suc¬ 
cessful wars against the Dacians (101-3, 105-6), for his 
conquest of Armenia, and for his able administration of 
all the interior departments of the government. He died 
in 117. 

TUDOR, (Owen)—Head of the royal house of Tudor, 
of an obscure Welsh family, gained the affections of 
Catherine, widow of Henry Y. of England, and secretly 
married her. By this queen he had one son. Edmund, 


TY.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 337 

earl of Richmond, who ascended the throne under the 
name of Henry VII. The Tudors had embraced the Lan- 
casterian cause during the “Wars of the Roses,” and 
Owen was beheaded in 1461. The house of Tudor reigned 
from 1485 to 1603, and counted five sovereigns, Henry 
VII., Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth. 

TURENNE (Henry, de La Tour'd'Auvergne, viscount 
de )—Celebrated French general, was born at Sedan, in 
1611, of a Calvinist family. At the age of 5 years he en¬ 
tered the army ; took part in all the campaigns of his 
uncle, Maurice of Nassau, and when not 30 years of age, 
had attained the grade of marshal of France. Blinded by 
his passion for the Duchess de Longueville, Turenne threw 
himself into the “ Fronde,” (see note to Retz) ; took many 
towns, but soon recognizing his fault, became reconciled 
with the court, and defeated Conde (1652) at Bleneau, 
and (1654) at Arras, and finally (1658) at Dunes. From 
1672 to 1675 Turenne was occupied in fighting the great 
Montecucculli. On July 27, 1675, he had succeeded in 
drawing this prudent general into a field of his own choice 
at Saltzbach, and was already sure of victory when he was 
struck by a cannon ball. Turenne had become a Catho¬ 
lic in 1668. The genius of this great general was less 
brilliant than that of Conde, but he gained as many 
decisive battles, and repaired many more disasters. To 
these great qualities he joined all the virtues of private life. 

TYLER (John)—Tenth president of the United States, 
was born in Virginia, March 29, 1770. At the age of 21 
he was elected to the legislature by the democratic party, 
and was re-elected four times. In 1816 he was sent to 

Congress ; in 1825 was chosen governor of Virginia ; and 

15 


368 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [UR. 

in 1827 was elected United States senator. On the ques¬ 
tion of the tariff ho sided with Calhoun. In 1840 he was 
elected vice-president with Harrison as president, and suc¬ 
ceeded the latter a month after his inauguration, April 4, 
1841. The most important act of his administration was 
the annexation of Texas. He died January 17, 1862. 

u. 

ULYSSES—King of Ithaca, succeeded Laertes on the 
throne, and married Penelope. When the Trojan war 
broke out, Ulysses feigned madness, that he might not 
be obliged to join the army, but his trick was discovered. 
In his turn he discovered Achilles hidden in the palace of 
Lyeomedes, at Scyros. During the seige he was as pru¬ 
dent as intrepid. His return to Ithaca was a long and 
painful journey. At the mercy of the winds he was suc¬ 
cessively cast upon the shores of Ithaca, the island of 
Salamis, and Sicily. He escaped Charybdis and Scylla, 
the chants of the Sirens, the sorceries of Circe, the 
cyclops Polyphemus, and finally landed on the isle of 
Calypso, the nymph of which retained him for seven 
years. He at length returned to Ithaca after a twenty 
years’ absence, and found that all his property had been 
stolen. Aided by his son Telemachus, he caused the 
execution of his rivals, and repressed the revolt of the 
people. He was killed by his son, Telegon, who did not 
know him. 

URBAN VIII. (Matthew Barberini )—Had filled with 
great success many important positions, when he was 
elected Pope, in 1623, on the death of Gregory XY. The 
annexation of the duchy of Urbino to the Roman States 


US.J 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


339 


(1626-31) signalized the first part of his reign ; but he 
was not eo successful in his contest with Venice and 
Portugal. This pontiff was as enlightened as he was 
virtuous. He issued a new edition of the bull, “ In 
coena domini” (1627) ; in 1642 he wrote a bull, “In eni- 
nenti” which was the first condemnation of the errors of 
Jansenius. He approved the order of the Visitation; 
suppressed as being contrary to sound doctrine, the con¬ 
gregation of Jesuitesses, and published under a new 
form the “ Roman Breviary.” He died in 1644. 

URSULA (Saint)—Virgin and martyr daughter, it is 
said, of a prince of Great Britain, was put to death by 
the Huns, near Cologne, about 384, with many of her 
spiritual children. Her feast is celebrated on the 21st 
of October. Many writers, following the legends of the 
time, have thought that the companions of Saint Ursula 
numbered 11,000, but the Roman martyrology only gives 
us the title, “ Ursula and her Companions,” without 
stating the number. 

USSHER (James)—An Anglican prelate, born at Dub¬ 
lin, in 1580 ; died in 1656. He was successively professor 
of theology at the university of Dublin (1607), chancellor 
of the church of Saint Patrick, bishop of Meath, arch¬ 
bishop of Armagh, member of the privy-council. He 
showed against the Catholics a most violent hatred. 
When the revolution of 1648 broke out, he was deprived 
of his revenues, and forced to take refuge in England, 
where he died eight years afterwards. He is celebrated 
as an historian and as a chronologist. It was Ussher who 
placed the first year of the world at 4004 B. C., and this 
calculation has been generally followed. His principal 


340 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[VA. 

works are “Armais of the Old and New Testament,” 
(1650-54) ; “ Antiquities of the British Churches.” 

v. 

VALDEMAR I. (called “the Great”)—King of Den¬ 
mark, was born in 1131, and was son of Canute, king of 
the Obotrites, and grandson of Eric III. On the death 
of Eric Y. he was one of three competitors who disputed 
the succession (1147); he succeeded in conquering his 
adversaries, Canute Y. and Sueno III., and thus remained 
in 1157 sole master of Denmark. He kept up amicable 
relations with the empire ; forced the princes of Mecklen¬ 
burg to renounce their pretensions to the throne (1166) ; 
directed against the pirates of the Baltic many successful 
expeditions ; conquered the island of Rugen, where ho 
destroyed the worship of Hertha (1168); compelled the 
king of Norway (Magnus YI.) to sign a humiliating 
treaty, and caused to be drawn up the two codes of law 
entitled “ Law of Scama,” and “ Law of Seeland.” He 
died in 1181. 

YALENQAY, (Achilles d’Extampes )— Called the cardi¬ 
nal de Valengay , born at Tours, in 1589, died in 1646, 
distinguished himself at first as a cavalier of Malta at the 
capture of Sainte Maure, in the archipelago ; afterwards 
in France, in Italy, and in the Low Countries. He com¬ 
manded the troops of Urban VIII. against the Duke of 
Parma, and received as reward the cardinal’s hat. 

YALENS, (Flavius)—A Roman emperor, was born 
about 328 in Pannonia, and was associated in 364 with 
his eldest brother Yalentinian in the imperial dignity. 


VA.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


341 


He crushed the revolt of Procopius (366), gained many 
advantages over the king of Persia, admitted the Goths 
into the empire, and gave them an asylum in Lower 
Moesia(376); but the avarice of the imperial agents hav¬ 
ing reduced the people to despair, they took up arms 
and gained the battles of Marcianopolis and ad Saliccs. 
Yalens himself was defeated at Adrianople, and perished 
with all his suite (378). Yalens was an Arian ; he per¬ 
secuted the Catholics most cruelly, directing his hatred 
especially against the bishops. He w r ent so far as to put 
to death Count Theodosius, father of the emperor of that 
name. 

YALENTINUS — An Egyptian heresiarch of the sec¬ 
ond century, died in 161. Being disappointed in his 
endeavors to become a bishop, he separated from the 
Church, and about 140 formed one of the sects known by 
the name of Gnostics. He had much success in Egypt, 
but going to Borne, he was excommunicated (143). He 
returned to the East, and there propagated his doctrine. 
Yalentinus taught a species of mystic syncretism, in 
wdiich he confounded many platonic and oriental ideas 
with the principles of Christianity. He taught that there 
were two worlds—-the one visible and the other invisible ; 
in the latter he thought to exist an infinite and luminous 
space, wdiich was nothing else than God, from the bosom 
of w'hom emanated thirty divine essences, which he called 
Eons, among which the principle ones were spirit, truth, the 
word, life, faith, the church. The visible world, according 
to him, owes its creation to a being of an inferior nature, 
w T ho is responsible for all the imperfections that we 
>bserve in it. 


342 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [VA 

VALENTINIAN I.— (Flavins Valentinianus)—Roman 
emperor, was born in Pannonia, in 321. He served with 
distinction under Julian and Jovian, and after the death 
of the latter (3G4) was proclaimed emperor by the army 
at Nice. He associated himself with his brother Valens, 
giving to him the East, reserving to himself the West. 
He exterminated the barbarous Germans from Gaul (366 
to 368). He conquered the Piets (367), the Saxons (370); 
at the same time he kept a vigilant eye upon the interior 
of the empire, and repressed the turbulence of the Arians. 
In 373 he passed into Pannonia, conquered the Quades, 
but while discussing with them the conditions of peace, 
he gave way to his fiery temper, broke a blood vessel, 
and immediately died (375). 

VALERIUS MAXIMUS — Celebrated Latin writer, 
served in Asia, under the consul Sextus Pompirus, in 14 
B. C. and was admitted to the court of Tiberius, to whom 
he dedicated his work. He is known especially by a 
work entitled “ Our Wonderful Sayings and Deeds,” in 
nine books; and a collection of isolated anecdotes ar¬ 
ranged under certain general titles—Religion, Marriage, 
Bravery, Patience, etc.. His style, although pure, is not 
worthy of the age of Augustus. 

VALERIAN, (Publius Licinius)—A Roman emperor, 
born about 190, passed through all the grades of military 
rank, and seized the purple when nearly 60 years old 
(250). He associated with himself his son Gallienus, 
instituted the eighth persecution against the Christians, 
repelled the Barbarians from the empire, and finally 
marched against Sapor. Conquered at Edessa, he sur¬ 
rendered to Sapor, and by that monarch was compelled 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


343 


VA.] 

for many years to serve as a lackey. He was finally burnt 
alive. 

VALLA, (Lawrence)—Born at Rome, in 1406, died in 
1457, solicited in vain the post of apostolic secretary at 
the court of Pope Martin Y. and for a long time after¬ 
wards was professor of eloquence at Pavia and Milan. In 
the long run of his ambition, he attached himself to the 
fortunes of Alphonsus Y. of Aragon, and by that prince 
was appointed secretary and royal historiographer. In 
1447 he accepted the advantageous offers of Pope Nicho¬ 
las Y. and became an apostolic secretary, and canon of 
St. John of Lateran. Of the many classical scholars of 
his time, Yalla was probably the foremost among those 
who wished to revive the studies of the ancient authors. 

YALLISNERI, (Anthony) — Celebrated Italian natur¬ 
alist, was born near Modena, in 1661, and died in 1730. 
He combatted the theory of spontaneous generation, and 
sustained the system of eggs. 

YANCOUYER (George)—An English navigator, was 
born in 1750, and died in 1798. He made two voyages 
around the world with Cook, and served afterwards under 
Admiral Rodney. In 1790, he was entrusted with the 
command of an expedition to discover, if possible, a mari¬ 
time communication between the western and eastern 
coasts of North America. At first he undertook the task 
with the Spaniard, Quadra (1792), and afterwards alone 
(1793). He failed in his undertaking, and returned to 
England, in 1795. The isle of Yancouver is named after 
hinn 


344 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[VA. 


YAN DYCK (Anthony)—A Flemish painter, was born 
at Anvers, in 1599, and died at London, in 1641. He 
was a pupil of Rubens, finished his studies in Italy, and 
finally established his residence in England. His prin¬ 
cipal work is “ Jesus Crucified,” probably one of the best 
illustrations we possess of that sublime subject. 

VARRO (Marcus Terentius)—Called the “ Wisest of 
the Romans,” was born at Rome, 116 B. C., and finished 
his education at Athens. Admitted to the bar, he arose 
rapidly to the highest offices of the state. He was gover¬ 
nor of farther Spain, as a lieutenant of Pompey, when in 
49 B. C., he was obliged to hand the province to Caesar. 
On the assassination of Caesar, Yarro was proscribed, but 
he managed to escape. He died in 26 B. C. Yarro was 
a man of great erudition, as test the five hundred vol¬ 
umes he wrote. Of his works we possess but few. The 
principal are one on “ Agriculture,” and thirty-five books 
on the “ Latin Language/ 

YARDS (Publius Quintilius)—A Roman general, was 
consul the year 12 B. C., then pro-consul of Syria, where 
he amassed great wealth by extortion, and finally was ap¬ 
pointed governor of the frontier provinces of Belgian 
Gaul. He so enraged the Germans by his despotism that 
a conspiracy was formed under the guidance of Arminius. 
He was enticed into the defiles of Teutberg, and attacked 
unexpectedly, losing his own life and three entire legions 
(10 A. D.) When Augustus heard the news of this dis¬ 
aster, he almost despaired, and for many months he would 
now and then break out with the exclamation, “Yarus, 
give me my legions!” 


ya.] compendium of biography. 345 

YASQTJEZ (Gabriel) — Famous Spanish theologian, 
born in 1551, died in 1604. He was a professor of theo¬ 
logy at the Jesuit college of Alcala, and afterwards occu¬ 
pied the same chair at Rome. He has often been called 
the Augustine of Spain, and he is generally regarded as 
one of the best theologians of his time. 

YATTEL (Emmerich de) —Publicist, born in 1714, in 
the principality of Neufchatel, died in 1767. Augustus 
III. of Saxony appointed him ambassador to Berne. He 
left us a celebrated work entitled “ The Laws of Nations,” 
or “ Principles of the National Law applied to Nations 
and Rulers.” Much as this work has been praised, it is 
but a reproduction of the ideas of Grotius and Puffen- 
dorff. Whatever there is in it of good is derived from 
Qhristianity. In general it is an embodiment of Deism in 
legal terminology. 

YAUBAN (Sebastian le Prestre de) — Celebrated en¬ 
gineer, was born in 1633, at St. Leger de Foucherets, 
in Burgundy. At 17 years of age he enlisted in the 
army of Condd, which at that time was fighting against 
the court. Captured by the royalists, he was con¬ 
ducted to the presence of Cardinal Mazarin, and the 
prelate was so impressed with his genius that he en¬ 
deavored to gain him over to his own side. He suc¬ 
ceeded, and the young Yauban received a commission as 
lieutenant of engineers (1655). He accompanied Louis 
NIY. in almost all his campaigns. In 1667 he took 
Douny and Lille ; he made of Dunkirk a port of war; 
directed the principal sieges against Holland (1673) ; 
took Maastricht, and placed the entire coast in a state 
of defence. During the campaign of 1677 he directed 


346 COMPENDIUM OP BlOOUAPHY. [vE. 

successfully the operations against Valenciennes and 
Cambray. The same year he was appointed superinten¬ 
dent of the fortifications of France, and while holding 
that office he not only applied modern science to the 
renovation of the old defences of the kingdom, but 
also constructed a large number of new ones ; among 
others those of Sarrelouis, Thionville, Haguenau, Hun- 
ingue, Kehl, and Landau, all of which formed as it were 
a kind of cincture upon the frontiers. He captured Mons 
(1691), Namur (1692), Steinkerque (1692), and received 
in 1703 the marshal’s baton. The last years of his life 
were passed in retirement, and he died in 1707. The 
character of Vauban was noble, frank, and disinterested. 
He never feared to contradict Louis XIV. even in politi¬ 
cal matters, when he thought that his great master had 
made a mistake. He left many writings, of which very 
few have been printed. His best treatises are one 
upon the “Attack and Defence of a Fortified Place,” 
and a fine essay upon the “ Edict of Nantes.” 

VELASQUEZ (Diego)—A Spanish general, born in 
1465, in Segovia, .accompanied Columbus in his second 
voyage, and establishing himself in San Domingo, con¬ 
tributed powerfully towards the conquest of the island 
(1496-1507). He was entrusted by Diego Columbus, 
brother of Christopher, with an expedition against Cuba. 
Succeeding in the enterprise, he became governor of the 
island, and founded many important colonies, the princi¬ 
pal one of which is now called Havana (1571). He en¬ 
couraged the expedition to Yucatan and Mexico (1517- 
18), placed Fernando Cortez at the head of the expedi¬ 
tion against Mexico, but soiled his previous record by 


VE. ] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 347 

becoming jealous of his lieutenant, and by doing all in 
his power to impede the hero’s progress. He died in 1523. 

VENDOME (Csesar de Bourbon, Duke de )—Entitled 
Ccesar moniseur, was eldest son of Henry IV. and Ga- 
brielle di Estrees, and born in 1594 at the chateau of 
Coucy. In 1595 he was legitimatized, and married tho 
daughter of the Duke Mercoeur, governor of Brittany. 
Under Louis XIII. he conspired against Cardinal Biche- 
lieu (1626), and was punished by four years of imprison¬ 
ment. In 1641 he was accused of conspiring against the 
life of the all-powerful cardinal, and fled to England, re¬ 
turning only in 1643. During the reign of Louis XIV. 
he was one of the leaders of the party entitled “ Impor- 
tants,” but he became reconciled with Cardinal Mazarin, 
when that wily minister conferred upon him the govern¬ 
ment of Burgundy and the title of superintendent of 
navigation and commerce. He died in 1665. 

VENDOME (Louis Joseph, de Bourbon, Duke de)~ 
Celebrated general, son of the preceding, was born in 
1654. His first experience as a soldier was undergone in 
Holland (1672), and he so distinguished himself as to 
merit in 1678 the rank of fi^ld-marshal. As lieutenant- 
general he gained laurels at the sieges of Mons and 
Namur, and at the battles of Steinkerque and Marsaglia. 
In 1695 he was sent as commander-in-chief in Catalonia, 
took Barcelona, and thus contributed greatly to the 
conclusion of the peace of Byswyk (1697). During 
the war of the Spanish succession, he fought in Italy, 
the Low Countries, and in Spain. In Italy he so acted 
as to repair the faults committed by Villeroi (1752), 
but the ability of Prince Eugene (see this name ) pre- 


348 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [VE. 

rented him from ever giving a decisive stroke. In the 
Low Countries he allowed Marlborough and Eugene to 
join their forces, thereby losing the battle of Oudenarde. 
His success, however, in Spain more than compensated 
for these reverses. He gained the victory of Villavicioso 
(1710), conducted Philip Y. to Madrid, placing upon 
the head of that prince the crown which to all seemed 
to have been lost. He died near Valencia, in 1712. 
Vendome had the coup-d’ceil and all the genius of a 
great general, but he was wanting in reflection and in 
activity. 

VERNET, (Anthony Charles Horace)—Celebrated 
French painter, was born at Bordeaux, in 1758, and died 
in 1836. His specialty was the painting of battles. He 
depicted most of the great victories of the empire, such 
as the battles of Rivoli, Marengo, Austerlitz, and Wag- 
ram. He was admitted to the Academy in 1787. 

VERNON, (Edward)—An English admiral, was born in 
1684, and died in 1757. He at first distinguished himself 
in the East Indian waters, under Commodore Walker. In 
1739-40 he destroyed most of the Spanish establishments 
in America, and after the capture of Porto Bello, he was 
created an admiral. Under George II. he fell into dis¬ 
grace on account of disobedience to the orders of the 
Admiralty, and his name was erased from the navy list. 

VERRES, (Caius Licinius) — A Roman famous for his 
dishonesty in the public service, was born of the noble 
family of the Licinii, in the year 119 B. C. Sent into 
Asia as adjutant to Dolabella, (82) he distinguished him¬ 
self only by his depredations and his debaucheries. Ap- 


VE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 349 

pointed, in 75, praetor in Sicily, lie, during three years, 
exercised unheard-of cruelties towards the unfortunate 
inhabitants. In fact, so gross were his crimes, that even 
the most corrupt of the Romans insisted upon his being 
brought to trial. The great Cicero was entrusted with 
the prosecution, but Yerres went into voluntary exile 
rather than await the result. He was condemned to 
restore to the Sicilians an immense sum of money, but be 
yet retained enough to lead a life of pleasure (72). After 
twenty-four years of exile he returned to Rome, but was 
proscribed by Anthony—about as pure a man as himself 
—for not consenting to share with him some of the spoils 
of Corinth. 

VESPASIAN, (Titus Flavius)—A Roman omperor, 
was born A. D. 7. Under Claudius, Caligula, and Nero, 
he well fulfilled many hjgh offices of State, and by the 
last-named was entrusted with the command of the 
famous campaign against the Jews. Sweeping every¬ 
thing before him, he was about to capture Jerusalem, 
when he heard of the death of Gajba, (69) and the 
quarrels of Otho and Vitellius. He was proclaimed 
emperor by the troops in the East, and immediately sent 
his trustworthy lieutenants, Mucianus and Antonins 
Primus, into Italy, and by their exertions was soon 
recognized as emperor. Leaving Judea under the control 
of Titus, who took Jerusalem (70), he marched on Rome, 
encountering no obstacle. He pacified Gaul, then agi¬ 
tated by Civilis, chief of the Batavians. He sent into 
Britain the famous Agricola (78), and by his means re¬ 
duced nearly the whole island to the Roman obedience. 
By means of a strict economy in the financial department, 


350 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [VI. 

as well as by a well-enforced administration of justice, 
Vespasian caused his name to be blessed by the poor and 
rich. He died in 79. Of all the Roman emperors, he 
was probably the most active—in fact, it is said that one 
of his favorite phrases was “A Roman emperor should 
lie standing.” 

VICO, (John)—An erudite Italian, born at Naples, in 
1668, and died in 1744. He was son of a bookseller of 
moderate means, but succeeded by dint of perseverance 
in obtaining a good education, and obtained the chair of 
rhetoric at the university of Naples, where he taught for 
forty years, leading, notwithstanding, a life of poverty. 
Towards the end of his life, he was appointed historio¬ 
grapher to the king of * Naples. Vico was destined to 
share the fate of all original thinkers—esteemed on ac¬ 
count of his learning, he was misunderstood by the best 
intellects of his time. As a philosopher, jurisconsult, and 
historian, he may be regarded as without a superior in 
the long line of Italian savans. He was the creator of 
the “Philosophy of History,” which he denominated The 
New Science. With a master-hand he traced the history 
of the human race ; took up all the questions upon races, 
languages, and migrations, which have been so much agi¬ 
tated lately; but allowed himself to be often led astray 
by his imagination. His principal work, “Principles of 
a New Science with regard to the Common Nature of 
Nations,” appeared at Naples, 1725. Vico divides the 
history of humanity into three ages : the Divine Age* 
period of idolatry ; the Heroic Age, a period of barbarism, 
distinguished by the appearance of “heroes ;” the Human 
Age, epoch of civilization. He taught that the various 


VI.] 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


351 


races went successively through these three ages, and 
that upon arriving at the last one, they respectively re¬ 
turned to the first, to commence a new kind of “ whirli¬ 
gig of history.” He was one of the first to declare that 
such personages as Homer, Hercules, Romulus, &c., were 
nothing but myths , or personifications of certain periods, 
sentiments, or interests. 

VICTOR AMADEUS II. — At first duke of Savoy, 
afterwards king of Sardinia, celebrated on account of his 
Macchiavellian policy, was born in 1665, and succeeded 
in 1675 to the throne of Savoy, under the regency of his 
mother, Mary of Nemours. He married Anne of Or¬ 
leans, niece of Louis XIV. (1684) ; but he nevertheless 
allied himself with Bavaria and William of Orange in a 
coalition against Louis. He was defeated by Catinat at 
Staffarde (1690), and at Marsaglia (1693), but was saved 
from imminent ruin by the arrival of Prince Eugene. In 
1692 Victor Amadeus was made commander of the Aus¬ 
trian army, but j’ielding to the instances of Louis XIV., 
he abandoned the trust. After the peace of Ryswyk 
(1697) he secretly allied himself with the enemies of 
Fiance, and openly avowed his hostility by the treaty of 
Turin, in 1703. Forced by the fortune of war to fly to 
Genoa, he was re-established in his possessions by Eugene 
(1707). In 1708 he led with great success the Sardo- 
Austrian army, but he soon quarreled with Austria, and 
declared himself neutral. By the treaty of Utrecht he 
became king of Sicily and duke of Milan, but in 1720 he 
exchanged Sicily for the island of Sardinia, thus obtain¬ 
ing the title of king of Sardinia. He abdicated in 1730, 
and died in 1732. 


352 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[VI. 


VICTOR EMMANUEL I.—King of Sardinia, was born 
in 1759. He succeeded his brother, Charles Emmanuel, 
in 1802 as king of the island of Sardinia. (Piedmont and 
Savoy were at this time under the power of France.) He 
regained his dominions in the Peninsula in 1814, and in 
1815 annexed Genoa to Piedmont. He was very hostile 
to liberal ideas, and in 1821 a violent insurrection broke 
out against his authority. Rather than satisfy the de¬ 
mands of the people, he abdicated, leaving the throne to 
his brother, Charles Felix. 

VIGILIUS—Pope, was elected during the life of Sil- 
verius (537), owing to the favor of the Empress Theodora, 
who deemed him hostile to the council of Chalcedon. 
After the death of Silverius (538), he was recognized as 
supreme pontiff by the Christian world. At first he 
seemed to approve of some of the heresies current at the 
time, but having condemned them with a firmness of 
spirit truly apostolic, he drew upon himself the resent¬ 
ment of Theodora. By her orders he was dragged 
through the streets of Constantinople with a rope around 
his neck, and finally cast into prison (547). In the affair 
of the “ Three Chapters ” he at first refused to condemn 
the obnoxious writings ; but when the council of Con¬ 
stantinople pronounced its decision (553), he accorded his 
confirmation to the condemnatory decree, sparing, never¬ 
theless,the authors of the “ Three Chapters.” This.latter 
restriction gave rise to a momentary schism in the 
Church. Vigilius died at Syracuse, while on his return 
to Rome, 555. 

VILLARS (Louis Hector, Marquis and Duke de) —Cele- 


VI.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHF. 353 

brated French general, was born in 1653, at Moulins, and 
was son of Peter de Villars, a famous diplomatist of bis 
time. He early distinguished himself as an officer, and 
in 1702 was appointed commander-in-chief on the line of 
the Rhine. He conducted the operations in Brisgau and 
the Black Forest, defeating the prince of Baden at Fried- 
lingen, and upon the field of battle received the baton 
of marshal of France. He covered himself with glory 
during the campaigns of 1705-6-7; successfully re¬ 
sisted Marlborough, and in 1707, forcing the imperial 
lines at Stollhofen, he penetrated into the heart of Ger¬ 
many, having conceived the bold idea of joining his forces 
to those of Charles XII., then in Saxony. The energy of 
Marlborough prevented his success. In 1709 he replaced 
Yendome in the command of the army of the North. Just 
when about to conquer at Malplaquet, he was wounded, 
and being unable to direct the operations of the army, he 
lost the battle. Nevertheless Louis XIY. maintained him 
in his command, and in 1712 Villars re-established his 
reputation and saved France by the celebrated victory 
of Denain over Prince Eugene. In 1733 Louis XV. 
gave him the exceptional title of marshal-general, and 
sent him into Italy. He rapidly conquered all the 
Milanese and the duchy of Mantua, but died at Turin, in 
1734. Villars was endowed with great advantages of 
body as well as of mind, but his ambition and pride were 
without limit. 

VILLEHARDOUIN (Geoffroy de) —Chronicler, was 
born near Bar-sur-Aube, France, about the year 1160, 
and died in 1213. His principal work is a “ History of 
the Conquest of Constantinople,” a book embracing the 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


354 


[VI. 


period 1198-1207—very valuable for dates, though quite 
prejudiced in its details. 

VINCENT FERRER (Saint) — Celebrated Spanish 
pulpit orator, was born at Valencia, 1357. Entering the 
Dominican order, he soon acquired a great reputation as 
a preacher, and so highly was he esteemed by the mon- 
archs of the time that he was several times chosen as an 
arbiter in their disputes. It was the decision of Vincent 
which placed the crown of Castille on young Ferdinand. 
He died in 1419, and was canonized in 1455. His feast 
is celebrated on the 5th of April. 

VINCENT DE PAUL (Saint)—Was born at Dax, in 
1576. Being of a poor family, he made his theological 
studies under great difficulties, and was finally ordained 
in 1600. Going from Marseilles to the Narbonne (1605), 
he was captured by a Tunisian pirate, and sold into 
slavery. In about two years he was allowed to return 
to France, having converted his master, a renegade 
Savoyard. In 1608 he accompanied to Rome the papal 
vice-legate of Avignon, and was entrusted by the pope 
with a special mission to Henry IV. of France. In 1610 
he was appointed almoner to Margaret of Valois, and 
after having refused most flattering offers from the 
court, he became a tutor in the household of Emman¬ 
uel de Gondi (1613). In the meantime he had made a 
large number of converts, founded many establishments 
of charity, visited the sick and poor throughout France, 
doing, in fine, all that a disciple of Christ could do for 
the suffering. In 1625 he founded the congregation of 
“ Missionary Priests,” and in 1634 established the glorious 
institute of the “ Sisters of Charity.” This latter founda- 


VI.] 


COMPENDIUM OP BIOGKAPHY. 


355 


tion is sufficient to make every human being venerate his 
memory. He died in 1660, and his feast is celebrated 
July 19. 

YINCI (Leonard da) —Painter, was born in 1452, near 
Florence, and studied under Verrocchio. He soon be¬ 
came distinguished as a painter, sculptor, engineer, and 
architect. He was appointed director of the academy 
of Milan by Ludovico Sforza, but left Milan when the city 
was captured by Louis XII. He established his residence 
in France at the invitation of Francis I, and by that 
prince was covered with favors. He died in 1519 in the 
arms of his royal protector. The principal work of Vinci 
is his “ Holy Supper.” The superb cartoons which he 
made, conjointly with Michael Angelo, for the council 
hall of Florence, are lost. The museum of the Louvre, 
at Paris, has many of his best works in its galleries. 

VIEGrIL (Publius Virgilius Maro)—Most celebrated of 
Latin poets, was born about the year 70 B. C., in the 
village of Andes, near Mantua. He studied at Cremona 
and at Naples, and commenced to display his poetic talent 
by a series of “ Eclogues.” He afterwards wrote a series 
of “ Georgies,” a didactic poem in four chants, in which he 
gave a nice description of a farmer’s life. His principal 
work is an epic poem entitled the “ iEneid,” one of the 
most perfect epics we possess. He died 19 B. 0., and 
upon his tomb-stone was engraved the epitaph (com¬ 
posed by himself), “Mantua gave me birth ; In Calabria I 
died; Naples now holds me.’’ Virgil was not destined to 
finish the “iEneid,” although upon it he had labored 
twelve years. By his will, he ordered the manuscript to 
be burned, but the Emperor Augustus interfered, and 


356 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [vo. 

hence we possess this masterpiece of art. In the matter 
of style, Yirgil is simple, graceful, and harmonious—above 
all, he is to be praised for sensitiveness. 

VISCONTI (Matthew I.)—Called “the Great,” was born 
in 1250, and upon the death of his uncle Otho was re¬ 
cognized as perpetual lord of Milan, 1295. During his 
eventful career he constantly combatted the faction of the 
Guelphs, and the efforts of Pope John XXII., who had 
excommunicated him. In 1322 he abdicated in favor of 
his son Galeazzo I., and retiring into a convent, there 
died in 1323. The house of Visconti played a very impor¬ 
tant part in the Germanieo-Italian feuds of the fourteenth 
and fifteenth centuries. As dukes of Milan, the line of 
the Visconti was extinguished in the person of Philip. 
Mary and the family of Sforza inherited the duchy 
(1450). 

VISDELOU (Claude)—A Jesuit priest of Brittany, was 
born in 1656, and died in 1737. In 1708 he was ap¬ 
pointed a vicar-apostolie to China, and bishop of Claudi- 
opolis. He had many disagreements with the religious 
of other orders then domiciled in China, and was obliged 
in 1709 to leave the empire. He died at Pondicherry. He 
was thoroughly acquainted with the Chinese language. In 
fact, we owe to his study much of our knowledge of early 
Chinese history. 

VOLTA, (Alexander)—A celebrated scientist, was 
born at Como, Italy, in 1745, and died in 1827. For 
thirty years he occupied the chair of natural science at 
the university of Pavia. Napoleon created him a senator 
of the kingdom of Italy, and placed him at the he/.«d of 


VO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 357 

the Italian Institute. Yolta was probably one of the 
most scientific men that ever lived. We owe to him 
many valuable discoveries, such as the theory in oppo¬ 
sition to the “Animal-electricity” of Galvani. He also 
invented an electric battery, which he afterwards himself 
condemned. To Yolta we owe the hydrogen lamp, and 
the electrical pistol. 

YOLTAIRE (Francis Mary Arquet) — A celebrated 
French writer, was born at Paris, in 1694. He was edu¬ 
cated at the college of Louis le Grande, and when he 
graduated, commenced the study of law. He soon, how¬ 
ever, entered upon a literary career, and by his extraor¬ 
dinary talents, versatility, and conversational powers, 
became acquainted with the best gentlemen of the 
period. His father wished to save him from his immoral 
tendencies, and hence had him sent to Holland as an at¬ 
tache of the French embassy. He was not cured, how¬ 
ever, by his change of residence, and upon his return to 
Paris, some satirical verses against Louis XIY., then just 
dead, caused him to be sent to the Bastile (1717), where 
he remained for a year. During his imprisonment he 
wrote his famous poem “ Henriade,” and completed his 
tragedy “ (Edipus.” In 1726 Yoltaire made a trip to 
England, and in the school of such deists as Bolingbroke, 
Collins, etc., he found much to interest him. He returned 
to Paris, in 1728, and up to the time of his death was en¬ 
gaged in literary labor. It may be said that Yoltaire was 
a universal genius; in fact, he wrote upon every imagin¬ 
able subject. In 1750 he went to Berlin by the invitation 
of King Frederick. This monarch had for a long time 
corresponded with Yoltaire, and they had entertained for 


358 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [WA. 

each other a sincere admiration. Personal intercourse, 
however, caused them soon to quarrel, and they separated, 
only however to resume their friendship once more when 
at a distance from each other. In 1758 he settled at 
Ferney, in Switzerland, and there spent the last twenty 
years of his life. Yoltaire is generally regarded as 
an atheist, but we would regard him rather as a deist, 
for he always upheld the truths of natural religion, 
even though he discarded revelation. Even Diderot 
and men of his stamp always ridiculed Yoltaire, since 
they believed that a reliance upon God was an indication 
of insanity. As a writer, Voltaire was graceful, clear, and 
vivacious ; as a dramatist, he may be placed in the same 
rank with Corneille and Racine. 


w. 


WADDING, (Luke) — An Irish Franciscan, born at 
Waterford, in 1588, died at Rome in 1657. When quite 
young he went into Spain, and studied awhile for the 
Church, but finished his education at Lisbon. He taught 
theology at Salamanca, and afterwards at Rome. He left 
us many valuable works, among which are to be men¬ 
tioned as worthy of the perusal of a student, “ Presbeia, 
or the Legation of Philip III. and IY. to Popes Paul V., 
Gregory XV., and Urban VIII.” (1624); a collection of 
“Annals of the Order of Minor Franciscans” (1650); and 
a fine edition of the works of Duns Scotus. This Father 
Wadding must not be confounded with the Jesuit Peter, 
who was also an Irishman, and taught theology at Lou- 
vaine and Prague, and who published in 1634 a famous 
libel against his own order. 


WA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 359 

WALLACE, (William)—A Scottish hero, was born in 
1276, in the county of Renfrew, and died in 1305. Plac¬ 
ing himself at the head of a band of guerrillas, he at¬ 
tacked the troops of Edward I., and soon succeeded in 
causing himself to be named regent for Baliol, then a 
prisoner in England. He invaded the northern counties 
of England (1298), but was conquered at Falkirk, on 
account of the treachery of the Scottish nobles. Be¬ 
trayed by his dearest friends, he was conducted to Lon¬ 
don in chains, and was decapitated on Tower Hill, 1305. 

WALLACE, (William Vincent)—Musician and com¬ 
poser, was born at Waterford, Ireland, of Scotch parents, 
1814. After having been for many years a leader of 
orchestra in the theatres of Dublin, he took a fancy for 
the bush-life of Australia, but soon resumed his legiti¬ 
mate avocation, and commenced to give concerts at 
Sydney. Following up his musical tendencies, he made 
professional tours in New Zealand, India, and America. 
In 1845 he produced his first opera, “ Maritana,” which 
yet is regarded as the most popular of English operas. 
He died in the south of France, October, 1865. His 
principal works are “Love’s Triumph” (1862), “The 
Desert Flower’’ (1863), and “Estrella,” (unfinished at the 
time of his death). Wallace was not a genius, but he was 
a highly cultivated musician. In fact, he may be regarded 
as one of the best composers of the English school. 

WALLENSTEIN, (Albert Wencelaus Eusebius de )—A 
famous general of the German empire, was born in Bohe¬ 
mia, in 1583. Distinguishing himself during the “Thirty- 
years’ war,” he received from the Emperor Ferdinand II. 
immense domains confiscated from the Bohemian rebels. 


360 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [WA. 

In a short time he raised at his own expense an army of 
50,000 men, and acting in concert with Lilly, he defeated 
the Danes at Osnabruck and Munster, crushed Mansfield 
at Dessau, and pursued him into Hungary. He overran 
Brandeburg, Holstein, Schleswig, Mecklenburg and 
Pomerania, forcing at length Christian IV. to sign the 
treaty of Lubec, 1629. The triumph of the Catholic cause 
seemed to be certain, when the capricious Ferdinand sud¬ 
denly placed Wallenstein upon the retired list, 1630. 
Nevertheless, being entreated by Ferdinand to reassume 
command of the army, when Gustavus of Sweden 
threatened to annihilate the imperial forces, Wallenstein 
consented, and taking the field, he forced the victorious 
Swede to evacuate Bavaria, and following him into 
Saxony, fought the great battle of Lutzen (1632), in 
which Gustavus lost his life. Refusing to obey the em¬ 
peror, who had ordered him to pass the winter outside 
of Bohemia, the ungrateful monarch feigned to believe 
him guilty of high treason, and placing him secretly 
under the ban of the empire, caused his assassination at 
Egra, in 1634. 

WALPOLE, (Robert) — First earl of Orford, famous 
English minister of state, was born in 1676, at Houghton, 
and died in 1745. In 1708 he became minister of war, 
and in 1709 received the portfolio of the marine. He 
lost his position on the fall of Marlborough, but was 
recalled to the ministry by George I., receiving the 
appointment of first lord of the treasury, and the im¬ 
portant post of chancellor of the exchequer. In 1717 
he resigned his offices, and for a time was violently 
opposed to the court. Becoming reconciled with the 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


361 


WA.] 

liing, lie reassumed office (1721), and was made prime 
v minister (1723). During the reign of George II. he was, 
from 1727-42, almost omnipotent. The policy of Walpole 
was to extend, as far as possible, the prerogatives of the 
crown, and to never make war a means of success. Cor¬ 
ruption was his first and favorite weapon. 

WALPOLE, (Horace)—Third son of the preceding, was 
born in 1718, and died in 1797. He is best known on ac¬ 
count of his residence at Strawberry Hill, where he estab¬ 
lished a printing office for the publication of his works, 
and also by his intimacy with Madame de Deffant, with 
whom he became acquainted at Paris, and who proved to 
be of great benefit to him during his literary career. He 
was not only a fine historian, but also a good dramatic 
author and a not inferior novelist. His best works are 
“Doubts on the Reign of Richard III.” (1768), in which 
essay he assumes the role of an apologist for the tyrant; 
a collection of “Anecdotes upon English Painting,” 
(1761) ; “Memories of George II.” (1822), and a series 
of “ Correspondence,” which places him at the very head 
of English epistolary writers. 

WAL SINGH AM, (Francis) — One of the principal 
ministers of Elizabeth of England, was at first a protege 
of Cecil, and became a member of the privy council in 
1572. Sent into Scotland (1583)'to secure the triumph 
of the “Reformation,” and the supremacy of England, 
he returned to London only to find himself in the preca¬ 
rious position of a judge of Mary Stuart (1587). He 
refused to give an opinion, and retired from the court. 
He died in 1590. 


16 


3G2 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [WA. 

WARWICK, (Richard Nevil, Earl of) —Called the 
“ king-maker,” succeeded, in 1453, to the title of his 
brother-in-law, Henry Beauchamp, and about the same 
time gave his sister in marriage to Richard, duke of 
York. He gained the battle of St. Albans, capturing 
Henry VI. (1455) ; defeated the Lancasterian army at 
Northampton (1460) ; impeded the progress of Margaret 
of Anjou on her route to London, after the victory of 
Wakefield, and caused the young duke of York to be 
proclaimed king, under the title of Edward IV. (1461). 
For a time he enjoyed the favor of the court, but when 
Edward married Elizabeth Woodville, his credit sensibly 
diminished. He now commenced a series of conspiracies 
against Edward ; but turning the tables, he went to the 
aid of the king, holding him, however, in a kind of cap¬ 
tivity. Edward having found an ally in the duke of 
Burgundy—Charles the Bold — Warwick was compelled 
to restore the monarch to full liberty. He now fled to 
the court of Louis XI. of France, and becoming recon¬ 
ciled with Henry VI. and Margaret of Anjou, gave his 
daughter in marriage to the son of the latter, and soon 
afterwards landed in England with a small band of adven¬ 
turers. In a short time he found himself at the head 
of 60,000 men, and forced Edward to fly into Holland. 
Taking Henry VI. from the Tower of London, he again 
and again proclaimed him king, and caused himself to be 
nominated tutor of the monarch. His triumph was not 
of long duration, for Edward returned, and gave him 
battle at Barnet (1471), and the ambitious earl lost his 
life on the field. 


WASHINGTON (George)—Commander-in-chief of the 



















































































































































































































































































































































« 



























































» 





































* 







WA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 3G5 

American army during the Revolution, and first President 
of the United States, was born in Westmoreland county, 
Virginia, February 22, 1732. In 1740, his brother, Cap¬ 
tain Lawrence Washington, served against Carthagena, 
under Admiral Vernon, and hence his residence on the 
Potomac was named Mt. Vernon. The admiral offered 
young George a commission, but the affections of his 
mother prevented him from accepting it. In 1748 he 
commenced to survey the wild territories of Lord Fair¬ 
fax, proprietor of immense estates in the Virginia valley. 
When the “ Seven-years* war ” broke out, he was ap¬ 
pointed adjutant of the provincial troops, with the 
rank of major. In 1754 he commanded a regiment 
against the French, established then at Fort Duquesne 
(now Pittsburgh), and held Fort Necessity against a 
superior force until compelled to capitulate. The next 
year, when two regiments of British regulars were led 
against Fort Duquesne, Washington tendered his advice 
to the English general, Braddock, but it was despised as 
that of a “ volunteer.” The ignominious defeat of the 
“ regulars ” of England showed that young Washington 
was correct; in fact, he alone saved the Britishers from 
annihilation. In this action Washington received four 
bullets through his coat and two horses were shot under 
him. In 1759 he married Mrs. Martha Custis, a wealthy 
widow, and resigning his military appointments, com¬ 
menced to improve his family estates. Like all Americans 
of wealth at that time, he was an extensive slaveholder, 
possessing one hundred and twenty-four at the time of 
his death; but when about to die, he ordered all to 
be emancipated upon the death of his wife. In 
1775, the news of the battle of Lexington (April 19), 


366 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [WA. 

called the country to arms, and Washington was elected 
commander-in-chief of the continental troops. He at 
once compelled the evacuation of Boston by Gage ; was 
defeated, however, at Long Island, and retired to New 
Jersey. Often defeated, and reduced to the most desper¬ 
ate straits, he yet always kept up his courage, and finally 
brought the war to a successful issue, by the capture of 
Yorktown, which event was followed by the peace of 1783. 
Washington refused all pay for his services, taking from 
his country only what was due him on account of personal 
expenses. He was elected President, and inaugarated at 
New York, April 30, 1789. With “ Lady Washington ”* 
he presided over the Republican court with dignity and 
simplicity. Elected for a second term of office, he was 
disgusted so much by the theories of Jefferson, then fresh 
from the hot-bed of the French Revolution, that he refused 
a third election, and issued his famous “farewell address,” 
and then retired to his family estate of Mt. Vernon. The 
French revolutionary troubles caused him for a while to 
again appear in public, since the “ republicans ” of France 
desired to drag us into their family squabbles. Although 
suffering greatly from acute “ laryngitis/’ he took the field, 
December 12, 1799, deeming an invasion of the French 
possible. This patriotic action brought on his death, 
December 14. The last words of our immortal Washin- 
ton are characteristic of the man : “I die hard, but I am 

* Up to the time of her death, Mrs. Washington persisted in being 
entitled “ My Lady,” and always held her levees as would a queen, 
standing upon an elevated “dais.” Washington often objected to this 
habit, but his wife’s obstinacy obliged him to yield. If the “Father 
of our Country” did not accept the royal crown, it was not the fault 
of his wife. 


WA.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 367 

not afraid to meet my God. I thank you, my friends, for 
your kindness, but do not take any more trouble about 
me.” From the fact of his last moments upon this earth 
having been witnessed by Bishop Carroll, of Baltimore, 
many suppose that Washington died a Catholic. The 
memory of this truly great and good man is enshrined in 
the hearts of his countrymen, and as a houseword we 
have the phrase in his regard, “First in peace, first in 
war, first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Washington 
was six feet two inches in height, with brown hair, blue 
eyes and a large head. He was always attentive to his 
personal appearance, was as gentle as a child, but at 
times, quite cold and reserved in his manners. By in¬ 
stinct and education, Washington was a thorough aristo¬ 
crat ; in fact, his levees were more formal than those of any 
European court, yet his sympathies were with the masses 
of humanity. He was especially fond of the Irish. It is 
narrated of him that at Newburg, he once on a St. 
Patrick’s day caused the “ Stars and Stripes ” to be 
hoisted over his tent, bearing upon one side of the 
flag the “ harp and sunburst of Erin,” with the motto 
“Liberty for Ireland.” The life of Washington has yet 
to be written. Those of Sparkes (1834-37), of Marshall 
(1805), of Irving (1855-’59), are too much tinctured 
with prejudice on the one side and partiality on the other. 
Without fear of contradiction, however, we can say that 
the record of Washington—humanly speaking—is stain¬ 
less as a general, a statesman, and a man. 

WATT (James) — Celebrated mechanician, was born 
at Greenock, Scotland, in 173G, and died in 1819c 
To him is attributed the invention of the steam-engine, 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


368 


[WE. 


as well as the discovery of the constituent elements of 
water. 

WAT TYLER—A tiler of Deptford, England, and 
leader of the revolt of 1381. Having killed a tax gatherer 
who was insulting his daughter, he collected a number of 
partisans, and provoked a formidable insurrection through¬ 
out the counties of Essex, Surrey, Sussex, and Kent. 
Marching upon London, he captured the Tower, and was 
about to seize the king, Richard II. ,when that prince 
offered to meet him in conference, promising to abolish 
all excessive taxation. In all simplicity, the daring 
“ rebel” advanced to meet his monarch, and was immedi¬ 
ately assassinated by one of the courtiers. 


WEISHAUPT (Adam)—Head of the famous sect of 
the “ Illuminati,” was born at Ingolstadt, in Bavaria, 
1748. He made his studies with the Jesuits, and about 
1776 founded a secret society entitled the “ Order of 
Perfectibilists,’* or “ Illuminati,” giving to it a constitu¬ 
tion similar to that of the “ Company of Jesus.” He 
pretended to use for good that which had, he said, 
been hitherto an instrument of evil. He admitted into 
his society men of every religious complexion, and exacted 
blind obedience from all. His organization soon became 

P 

quite flourishing, but ere long he commenced to use it as 
a political engine, and hence he and all his brethren were 
placed under the ban by the government of Bavaria 
(1784). He died at Gotha, 1822. 


WELLINGTON ^Arthur Colley Wellesley, Duke of)— 
was born at Dungan Castle, Ireland, in 1768, and died in 
1852. His first military studies were made at the French 





































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


371 


military school of Angers. In 1787 he entered the service 
as sub-lieutenant, in 1796 he was sent to India, and 
in 1799 was appointed governor of Seringapatam. In 
1805 he was made secretary for Ireland. In 1807 he com¬ 
manded a brigade in the expedition against Copenhagen, 
and negotiated the capitulation of that city. He defeated 
General Junot, at Vimiero, in 1808, and in the following 
year received the chief command of the English army in 
Portugal. Passing'into Spain, he gave battle to Marshal 
Victor, at Talayera (July 27, 1809), and though the 
issue was uncertain, obtained on account of the affair the 
title of Viscount Wellington—afterwards the title was 
changed to that of duke. In order to cover Lisbon, he 
constructed the famous lines of Torres-Vedras ; re-entered 
Spain in 1811, pursuing the French, who, destitute of 
supplies, were forced to retreat. He defeated Marmont, 
at Salamanca (July 21, 1812), and a few day afterwards 
entered Madrid. The manoeuvres of Soult forced him 
to retreat into Portugal, but in 1813 he reassumed the 
offensive, on hearing of the French disasters in Russia. 
He now received from the Spanish government the com¬ 
mand of the forces of the kingdom, and joining them to 
his own army, with the aid of guerillas at every point, he 
succeeded in utterly wearing out the already nearly ex¬ 
hausted French, and at Vittoria (June 21, 1813) he gained 
a decisive battle, receiving therefor the title of marshal. 
He penetrated into France in the winter of 1814, des¬ 
pite the vigorous resistance of Soult, but suffered a severe 
defeat at the hands of the marshal, at Toulouse, April 10. 
On the return of Napoleon from Elba, he was appointed 
commander of the allied armies, and on June 18, 1815, 
with the aid of Blucher, succeed’ed in defeating Napoleon 


372 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [wi. 

at Waterloo. Wellington was possessed of a body and 
a will of iron. Hence he is often called the “ Iron Duke.’’ 
As a general he was not at all brilliant, but Fabius-like, he 
was prudent, cool, and persevering. He was often aided 
by unforseen circumstances, notably at Waterloo. Na¬ 
poleon once remarked of him that fortune had done more 
for him than he had done for her—a saying the truth of 
which he himself seemed to realize, for upon his coat- 
of-arms he emblazoned the motto “ Fortune the Compan¬ 
ion of Valor.” As a politician, Wellington was a thorough 
specimen of English aristocracy, and was remarkable even 
among the most illiberal for his illiberal views. However, 
when he saw reform inevitable, he accepted the situation, 
and even gave it his aid. 

WICKLIFFE, (John)—An English heresiarch, was 
born in Yorkshire, 1324, and died in 1387. He was 
appointed rector of Canterbury college, Oxford, in 1365, 
but was deprived of the position by Langham, protector 
of the institution. He appealed to Rome, but Pope 
Urban V. decided against him. Exasperated beyond 
measure, Wickliffe broke out into open heresy, attack¬ 
ing the spiritual as well as the temporal power of the 
papacy, and designating the pope as “Antichrist.” He 
denied the dogmas of transubstantiation and penance, 
and every kind of ecclesiastical jurisdiction. His arrest 
was ordered by Pope Gregory II., but when he ap¬ 
peared before the assembled bishops at Lambeth, the 
timid prelates contented themselves with requesting him 
to be quiet. A second council, however, held at London 
in 1382, condemned his doctrines and forced him to 
leave Oxford. He died of apoplexy at Lutherworth. 


WO.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 373 

Wickliffe has been called the “Morning Star of the 
Reformation.” 

WILBERFORCE, (William) — A celebrated philan¬ 
thropist, was born at Hull, in 1759, and died at Chelsea, in 
1833. He was elected to parliament in 1784, and in 1787 
introduced a bill against the slave trade. After a long and 
tedious opposition he succeeded in passing his bill. The 
eloquence of Wilberforce was at once persuasive and 
logical. The African race owes him a deep debt of 
gratitude. 

WIRT, (William)—An eminent Maryland lawyer, born 
at Bladensburg, 1772, was admitted to the bar in 1792, 
distinguished himself at the trial of Aaron Burr, was 
attorney-general of the TJnited States from 1817 to 1829, 
and died in Washington, 1834. He was an elegant orator, 
a learned lawyer, and a graceful writer. 

WISEMAN, (Nicholas) — Cardinal of the Catholic 
Church, and archbishop of Westminster, was of Irish 
extraction. He was born at Seville, in Spain, 1802, stu¬ 
died in Rome, was rector of the English College, 1829, 
and professor of Oriental languages at the Sapienza, and 
then was sent into England. The English hierarchy was 
revived in 1850, with Bishop Wiseman as Cardinal of the 
Church and archbishop of Westminster. He has written 
a great many lectures, essays, and literary works. He is 
acknowledged by all to have been one of the most learned 
men of the nineteenth century, and may be set down as 
the father of the revival of the Catholic faith in England. 
He died in February, 1865. 


374 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[wo. 


WOLF, (John Christian) — A German philosopher, was 
born at Breslau, in 1679. Following the schools of Des¬ 
cartes and Leibnitz, he conceived the idea of furnishing 
to Germany a “national philosophy.” In 1707 he was 
appointed professor of mathematics at Halle. His liberal 
ideas caused him to be exiled by an express order of the 
King Frederick William (1723). In a short time, how¬ 
ever, he was allowed to re-enter Prussia and was appointed 
vice-chancellor of the University of Halle. He died in 
1754. Wolf wrote many works upon logic, psychology, 
and mathematics. As a metaphysician, Wolf merely 
followed Leibnitz. 

WOLSEY, (Thomas) — A celebrated cardinal and 
prime minister, was born in 1471 at Ipswich. He was 
appointed minister of state by Henry VIII., and by Pope 
Leo X. was made a cardinal and legate a latere for Great 
Britain. He endeavored in vain to attain the pontifical 
throne, but at length contented himself with his ecclesias¬ 
tical position at the English court. During the dispute 
between Henry VIII. and Catherine of Aragon, he showed 
himself a priest rather than a politician, and hence in¬ 
curred the hatred of the monarch. He was deprived of 
nearly all his revenues, and banished from the court. He 
retired to his diocese, and up to the day of his death led 
a thoroughly priestly life. He died in 1530. Wolsey was 
the founder of Christ college at Oxford. 

WORTH, (William Jenkins)—A celebrated American 
general was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1794. 
He served in the war of 1812, and afterwards in the Flor¬ 
ida campaign of 1841-2, and was made a brigadier gen- 


XE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 375 

eral. He distinguished himself greatly in the Mexican 
war, and attained the rank of major general. He died in 
Texas, in 1849. A monument has been erected to his 
memory in New York. He is justly considered one of the 
brightest names that grace the American army list, and as 
a military strategist ranks very high. 

WURMSER, (Dagobert Sigismund, Count de) ; — An 
Austrian general, was born in Alsace, in 1724, and died in 
1797. In 1795 he was entrusted with the command of 
the army of the Upper Rhine, but was invariably defeated 
by the French. His last campaign was made at Mantua, 
and there he capitulated, February 2, 1797. He died a 
few days after. 


X. 

XENOPHANES — A Greek philosopher, was born 
about 617 B. C., at Colophon, in Asia Minor, and died at 
Yelia, Italy, in 536. He founded the school which is now 
denominated Pantheistic. He reduced all that is to an 
absolute unity ; he denied all plurality; but to his meta¬ 
physical speculations he joined a physical theory, in 
which, reasoning by the evidence of our senses, he taught 
that our world is composed of but two elements—earth 
and water. 

XENOPHON — Famous Greek philosopher, general, 
and historian, was born at Attica in 445 B. C. At the .age 
of 16 he became the disciple of Socrates, but joining the 
army of Ciearchus, went through the campaign against 
Artaxerxes Memnon (401 B. C.). After the death of 
Clearchus, he took command of the troops, and con- 


376 COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. [xr. 

ducted the famous “ Retreat of the Ten Thousand,” from 
the Tigris to Clirysopolis. He joined the Spartan forces 
with the remnants of his army, and was therefor pro* 
scribed by his own government. In 369 he was recalled 
from exile, but disdaining to enter Athens, he died at 
Corinth, 355. The works of Xenophon may be divided 
into four classes : 1st. Historical —“ Hellenics,” continua¬ 
tion of Thucydides up to 362 B. C.; “ Retreat of the Ten 
Thousand; ” “ Eulogium on Agesilaus,” king of Sparta ; 
“ Cyropedeia.” 2d. Political — “ Republics of Sparta and 
Athens;” “Revenues of Attica.” 3d. Military Instruction 
—“Master of Cavalry;’’ “Equitation.” 4th. Philosophical 
—“The Banquet; ” “ Economy; ’’ “ Memorable Sayings ; ” 
and an “ Apology for Socrates.’’ The style of Xenophon 
is elegant and sweet, but is very diffuse and languid. 
His “ Cyropedeia’’ is more of a romance than a history. 

XIMENES, (Francis de Gisnei'os )—Celebrated Spanish 
statesman, was born in Castille, 1437. Entering the 
Franciscan order, he became professor of law at the 
university of Salamanca, and in 1495 was appointed 
archbishop of Toledo. Isabella confided to him the 
administration of Castille, and after the death of that 
queen, Ferdinand retained him in office. At his own 
expense, Ximenes fitted out an expedition against the 
Moors, and took Oran (1509). On the death of Ferdi¬ 
nand, (1516), he proclaimed Charles Y. king of Spain, 
and after much trouble succeeded in placing the crown 
firmly upon that prince’s head. The ungrateful and 
sordid monarch withdrew his portfolio (1517), and the 
heart-broken prelate died shortly after. For many years 
Ximenes had been a cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, 


YP.J COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 377 

and “Grand-inquisitor” of Spain. His character was 
firm and austere; his courage was indomitable, and his 
devotion to the interests of Spain was heroic. He 
founded the university of Alcala, and at his own expense 
published the famous Bible “ Polyglot of Alcala.” 

Y. 

YOUNG, (Edward) — An English poet, was born near 
Winchester, in 1681, and died in 1765. Entering the 
Anglican ministry in 1727, he was appointed chaplain to 
George II., and became the panegyrist of the House of 
Hanover. As a poet, he is sombre — nay, lugubrious. 
His principal works are “Busiris” (1719); “Vengeance” 
(1721); “Last Judgment” (1713); “Night-Thoughts” 
(1741). 

YPSILANTI, (Alexander) — Celebrated Greek patriot 
and general, descended from an ancient Fanariot house, 
originally from Trebizond. He was one of seven sons 
born to Prince Constantine, grandson of Alexander, Hos- 
podar of Wallachia. His birth occurred in 1792, and 
when a mere boy he entered the Russian army. 1814 
found him a colonel and aide-de-camp to the emperor. 
In 1820 he organized a society for the liberation of 
Greece, and in 1821 he made a sudden dash across the 
Pruth at the head of a few devoted partisans. Defeated 
at Dragachan and Skulleni, he took refuge in Austria, and 
was retained captive. He died in 1828. His brother 
Demetrius was made general-in-chief of the Morean 
insurgents in 1821, but was soon deprived of the com¬ 
mand. He died in 1832. 


378 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[ZE. 


z. 

ZACCARIA, (Francis Anthony)—Famous Italian au¬ 
thor and preacher, was born at Venice in 1714, and died 
in 1795. When but 15, he joined the Jesuits, and was 
appointed in 1754 custodian of the library of Modena. 
The last years of his life were passed in the Sapienza at 
Rome, as professor of ecclesiastical history. His prin¬ 
cipal works are a “Collection of Anecdotes of the Middle 
Ages” (1755); a fine “ Literary History of Italy” (1751-57) 
and “ Literary Annals of Italy,” (1762-64). 

ZEID-BEN-THABET— Secretary of Mahomet, was 
only 11 years of age when he undertook to share the 
fortunes of the prophet. By pen as well as by sword he 
greatly contributed to his master’s success. We owe to 
Zeid the possession of the “ Coran,” he having gathered 
together its scattered fragments after the defeat of 
Yemanah, and consigned them to the care of the Caliph 
Abou-Bekr. 

ZENOBIA (Queen of Palmyra)—Was daughter of an 
Arab chief of Mesopotamia, and married King Odenat. 
When that prince died—probably by her hand—she de¬ 
clared herself queen of the East, and made war against 
Rome. Conquering Gallienus, she was defeated by 
Aurelian, and conducted to Rome, gracing the “ triumph ” 
of the victor. She was ordered to reside at Tibur, and 
she there died, about 275. 

ZENO—A Greek philosopher, was born at Elea, in 
Grecia Magna, about 504 B. C. He professed the doctrine 
of absolute unity, and may be regarded as the creator of 


ZE.] COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 379 

dialectics. He was put to death by one of the “ tyrants ” 
of his country, about the year 450 B. C. 

ZENO—Founder of the Stoic school of philosophy, 
was born in the isle of Cyprus, in the year 362 B. C. En¬ 
countering by chance the “ Memoir” of Xenophon, he 
at once conceived a taste for philosophical study, and 
from that moment devoted his life to its prosecution. He 
attended the lectures of the cynic Crates, the Megaric 
Stilpon, the “ academicians ” Xenocrates and Polemon, 
but soon established a school of his own, about 300 B. C. 
His eloquence, as well as his moral character, obtained 
for him a great number of disciples. He died in extreme 
old age, about 263 B. C. Zeno divided science into three 
parts : logic, physiology, and morality. In logic he dedi¬ 
cated his labors to the discovery of a criterium of truth; 
in the science of nature, he distinguished for man, just 
as for the world, two principles ; one passive (matter) 
another active (God). He regarded the soul as a kind 
of fire, and even taught that God himself was a fiery 
element. 

ZEIJXIS—A Greek painter, was born about 475 B. C., 
and died in 400. It is said that one day a rivalry occurred 
between him and Parrhasius, and a bet was made as to 
which one of the artists could deceive nature herself. 
Zeuxis so well painted a bunch of grapes as to even 
deceive the birds, and Parrhasius succeeded in deceiving 
Zeuxis by a curtain. “ Lift up that curtain!” cried Zeuxis, 
and Parrhasius answered: “You are beaten.’’ 

ZOROASTER—Reformer of the old Persian “religion ” 
was born in Adeirbadjan, during the reign of Hystaspus, 


380 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


[zw. 

father of Daruis I. As a philosopher he condensated his 
ideas into twenty-one books, entitled “ Nosks,” giving out 
the theory of “ The Living Word.” The date of his death 
is not known. 

ZOSIMUS (a Greek historian)—Was born about the 
commencement of the fifth century, and is celebrated on 
account of a “ Roman History,” a very prejudiced work, 
directed especially against the Christians. 

ZWINGLIUS (Ulrich)—One of the so-called reformers, 
was born at Wildhaus, Switzerland, in 1484, and died in 
1531. He differed essentially with Luther upon the 
doctrine of Transubstantiation, since Luther always in¬ 
sisted upon the dogma of the “Real Presence.” 


CHRONOLOGICAL TABLES 


SHOWING THE 

EULERS OF THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES 
OF THE WORLD. 

-♦- 

SUPREME PONTIFFS. 


St. Peter. 

A. D. 

. 42 

St. Linus. 

. 66 

St. Anacletus. 

. 78 

St. Clement I.. 

. 91 

St. Evaristus.. 

100 

St. Alexander I. 

. 109 

St. Sixtus I.. 

. 119 

St. Telesphorus.. 

. 127 

St. Hygienus. 

, 139 

St. Pius I.. 

. 142 

St. Anicetus.. 

. 157 

St. Soter. 

. 168 

St. Eleutherus.. 

. 177 

St. Victor I.. 

. 193 

St. Zepherinus.. 

. 202 

St. Calixtus I.. 

. 219 

St. Urban I.. 

. 223 

St. Pontianus. 

. 230 

St. Antherus.. 

. 235 

St. Fabianus.. 

. 236 

St. Cornelius. 

. 251 

Novatianus, Anti-Pope. 
St. Lucius I.. 

. 252 

St. Stephen I.. 

. 253 

st. Sixtus n. 

, 257 

St. Denis.. 

. 259 

St. Felix I. 

. 269 

St. Eutychian.. 

. 275 

St. Caius. 

. 283 

St Marcellinus.. 

. 296 

St. Marcellus.. 

. 308 

St. Eusebius. 

. 310 


A. D. 


St. Melcliiades. 311 

St. Sylvester L ... 314 

St. Mark. 336 

St. Julius 1.337 

St. Liberius. 352 

Felix II. 355 

St. Liberius ( reinstated )... 358 

St. Damasus. 366 

St. Siricius. 384 

St. Anastasius 1.398 

St. Innocent 1.402 

St. Zosimus. 417 

St. Boniface 1.418 

St. Celestine 1.422 

St. Sixtus in. 432 

St. Leo the Great.440 

St. Hilarius. 461 

St. Simplicius. 468 

St. Felix in. 483 

St. Gelasius. 492 

St. Anastatius EE.496 

Symmachus. 498 

Hormisdas. 514 

John 1.523 

Felix IV.526 

Boniface II. 530 

John II.533 

Agapetus 1.535 

Silverius. 536 

Vigilius. 537 

Pelagius 1. 555 

John in. 560 


































































382 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


A. D. 

Benedict 1.574 

Pelagius II.578 

St. Gregory (the Great)... 590 

Sabinian. 604 

Boniface III. 607 

Boniface IV. 608 

St. Deusdedit. 615 

Boniface V. 618 

Honorius 1. 625 

Severinus. 640 

John IV. 640 

Theodore. 642 

St. Martin 1.649 

St. Eugene 1. 654 

Vitalian. 657 

Adeodatns. 672 

Domus 1. 676 

Agatho. 679 

St. Leo II. 682' 

Benedict II. 684 

John V. 685 

Theodore, } Anti-Popes. 

Cono. 686 

Sergius 1. 687 

S32T 

John VI. 701 

John VII. 705 

Sissinius. 708 

Constantine. 708 

Gregory II. 715 

Gregory III. 731 

Zaccliary. 741 

Stephen [elected, but not con¬ 
secrated,) . 752 

Stephen II. 752 

Pauli. 757 

Theophylactus, ) 

Constantine, >- Anti-Popes. 
Philip, ) 

Stephen m. 768 

Adrian 1. 772 

Leo in. 795 

Stephen IV. 816 

Paschal 1. 817 


A. D. 

Eugene II. 824 

Valentine. 827 

Gregory IV. 827 

Sergius II .844 

Leo IV. 847 

Benedict EU. 855 

Nicholas 1. 858 

Adrian IL. 867 

John Vm.872 

Martin U . 882 

Adrian IH. 884 

Stephen V. 885 

Formosus. 891 

Boniface VI. 896 

Stephen VI.896 

Romanus. 897 

Theodore n. 898 

John IX. 898 

Benedict IV. 900 

Leo V. 903 

Christopher. 903 

Sergius m. 904 

Anastatius in. 911 

Landon... 913 

John X. 914 

Leo VI. 928 

Stephen YU. 929 

John XI. 931 

Leo VU.936 

Stephen VIII. 939 

Martin MI. 942 

Agapetus H. 946 

John Xn... 956 

Leo Vin. 963 

Benedict V. 964 

John XLI...965 

Benedict VI. 972 

Boniface VM., Anti-Pope. 

Domnus U. 974 

Benedict VU. 975 

John XIV. 983 

Boniface VII. 

John XV. [not consecrated) 985 

John XVI.. 986 

Gregory V. 996 


John XVI., lie ice A nti - Pope 997 



















































































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 383 


A. D. 

Sylvester U. 999 

John XVII.1003 

John XVIII.1003 

Sergius IV. 1009 

John XIX. 1024 

.Benedict IX. 1033 

Sylvester, \ , , „ 

John XX, ) r °P es ' 

Gregory VI. 1044 

Clement II. 1046 

Damasus II. 1048 

St. Leo IX. 1049 

Victor II. 1055 

Stephen IX. 1057 

Benedict X., Anti-Pope. 

Nicholas II. 1058 

Alexander II. 1061 

Honorius H., Anti-Pope. 

Gregory VII.. 1073. 

Clement III., Anti-Pope. 

Victor III. 1086 

Urban II. 1088 

Paschal II. 1099 


Tkeod'oric, \^i-Popes. 
Gelasius II. 1118 


Mauritius, Anti-Pope. 


Calixtus II. 1119 

Honorius II. 1124 


Calixtus III., Anti-Pope. 
Innocent II. 1130 

Victor,* ,US> | Anti-Popes. 

Celestine II. 1143 

Lucian II. 1144 

Eugenius III. 1145 

Anastatius IV.1153 

Adrian IV. 1154 

Alexander III. 1159 

Victor IV., 'l 
Paschal III., 


Calixtus, 

Innocent, 


■ Anti-Popes. 


Lucian III.1181 

Urban HI. 1185 

Gregory VIH. 1187 



A. D. 

Clement in.. 

.1187 

Celestine III.. 

.1191 

Innocent HI.. 

. 1198 

Honorius III. 


Gregory IX... 

.. 1227 

Celestine IV.. 

.1241 

Innocent IV.. 

. 1243 

Alexander IV. 

.1254 

Urban IV.... 

.1261 

Clement IV... 

. 1265 

Gregory X.... 

.1271 

Innocent V. .. 

.1276 

Adrian V. 

. 1276 

John XXI.... 

. 1276 

Nicholas III.. 

. 1277 

Martin IV.... 

. 1281 

Honorius IV.. 

.1285 

Nicholas IV.. 

.1288 

Celestine V... 

. 1294 

Boniface VHI 

. 1294 

Benedict XI.. 

.1303 

Clement V.... 

. 1305 

John XXII... 

.1316 

Peter of Corbiere, 


Anti-Pope. 

Benedict XH. 

.1334 

Clement VI... 

. 1342 

Innocent VI.. 

. 1352 

Urban V. 

. 1362 

Gregory XI... 

. 1370 

Urban VI.... 

. 1378 

Clement VII.. 

. 1378 

Boniface IX.. 

.1389 

Innocent VII. 


Gregory XII.. 


Alexander V.. 

. 1409 

John XXHI.. 

. 1410 

Martin V. 

. 1417 

Clement, Anti-Pope, from 


1424 to 1429 

Eugenius IV.. 


Felix V. 

. 1439 

Nicholas V... 

. 1449 

Calixtus HI.. 


Pius II. 

. 1458 

Paul H. 

. 1464 












































































384 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


A. D. 

Sixtus IV. 1471 

Innocent VIII.1484 

Alexander VI. 1492 

Pius III. 1503 

Julius II. 1503 

Leo X. 1513 

Adrian VL. 1522 

Clement VII.. 1523 

Paulin. 1534 

Julius in. 1550 

Marcellus n., 1555 

Paul IV. 1555 

Pius IV. 1559 

PiusV. 1565 

Gregory Xin. 1572 

Sixtus Y. 1585 

Urban YII. 1590 

Gregory XIV. 1590 

Innocent IX. 1591 

Clement Yni. 1592 

Leo XI. 1605 

Paul V. 1605 

Gregory XV. 1621 

Urban VIII. 1623 

Innocent X. 1644 

Alexander YU. 1655 

Clement IX..1667 

Clement X. 1670 

Innocent XI. 1676 

Alexander VUI. 1689 

Innocent XU. 1691 

Clement XL. 1700 

Innocent Xin.1721 

Benedict XIII.1724 

Clement XU. 1730 

Benedict XIV. 1740 

Clement XIIL. 1758 

Clement XIV. 1769 

Pius VI. 1775 

PiusVU. 1800 

LeoXIL. 1823 

PiusVUI. 1829 

Gregory XVI.1831 

Pius IX. 1846 


HOME. 


J->. L/. 

Romulus. 753 

Numa Pompilius. 714 

Tullius Ho&tilius. 671 

Ancus Marcius... 639 

Tarquin, the Ancient. 614 

Servius Tullius. 578 

Tarquin, “the Proud”.... 534 

EMPERORS. 

B. C. 

Augustus. 31 

A. D. 

Tiberius. 14 

Caligula. 37 

Claudius 1. 41 

Nero. 54 

Galba. 08 

Otho. 69 

Vitellius.. 69 

Vespasian. 69 

Titus. 79 

Domitian. 81 

Nerva. 96 

Trajan. 98 

Adrian. 117 

Antonine. 138 

Marcus Aurelius. 161 

Commodus. 180 

Pertinax. 193 

Didius Julianus. 193 

Septimius Severus. 193 

Caracalla.211 

Macinusr. 217 

Heliogabulus.218 

Alexander Severus.222 

Maximin 1. 235 

The two Gordians.237 

Gordianus IU.238 

Philip, “the Arab”.244 

Decius. 249 

Gallus. 251 

Emilian. 253 

Valerian.'253 

Gailienus. 260 






















































































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


385 


THE THIRTY TYRANTS. 


A. D. 

Claudius. 268 

Quintilius. 270 

Aurelian. 270 

Tacitus. 275 

Florianus. 276 

Probus. 276 

Cams. 282 

Carinus and Numerianus.. 284 

Diocletian. 284-305 

Maxminian-Hercules... 286-305 

Constantius-Clilorus.306 

Galerius (Caesar).305-310 

Severus. 311 

Constantine 1. 306 

Constantine II. 337 

Constantius. 350 

Julian, “ the Apostate ”... 361 

Jovian.363 

Valentinian I., 

(in the West). 361-375 

Valens (in the East).. 364-379 

Gratianus, 

(in the West). 375-383 

Yalentinian II., 

(in the West). 383-392 

Theodosius I., 

(in the East).379 

EMPIRE OF THE WEST. 

Honorius. 395 

Yalentinian HI.424 

Petronius Maximus.455 

Avitus.455 

Majorian. 457 

Libius. 461 

Anthemius.467 

Olybryius. 472 

Glycerius.473 

Julius Nepos.474 

Pomulus Augustulus.475 

empire of the east. 

First Theodosian Dynasty. 

Arcadius.395 

Theodosius II. 408 


A. D. 


Pulcheria. 450 

Marcion.453 

Dynasty of Thrace. 

Leo 1.457 

Leo II. 474 

Zeno. 474 

Anastatius 1. 491 

Dynasty of Justinian. 

Justin 1. 518 

Justinian I. 527 

Justin II. 565 

Tiberius II. 578 

Mauritius. 582 

Phocas. 602 

Dynasty of Heraclius. 

Heraclius 1. 610 

Heraclius Constantine .... 641 

Constantine II. 641 

Constantine HI. 668 

Justinian H. (1st time)... 685 

Leontius. 695 

Tiberius HI.698 

Justinian H. (2d time)... 705 

Anastatius II. 713 

Theodosius HI. 716 

Isaurian Dynasty. 

Leo HI. 717 

Constantine IV. 741 

Leo IV. 775 

Constantine Y. 780 

Irene (Empress). 797 

Nicephorus 1.802 

Stauratius. 811 

Michael 1. 811 

Leon V.813 

Michael H. 820 

Theophilus. 829 

Michael HI. 842 

Macedonian Dynasty. 

Constantine VI.868 

Leo VI.886 


17 




































































386 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


A. D. 

Alexander. 911 

Constantine VH. 912 

Romanus II. 959 

Basil II. 963 

Constantine VIII.1025 

Romanus III.1028 

Michael IV. 1034 

Michael V. 1044 

Theodora. 1054 

Michael VI. 1056 

Dynasty of the Comnenes. 

Isaac 1. 1057 

Constantine XI.1059 

Romanus. 1068 

Michael Vn. 1071 

Nicephorus HI. 1078 

Alexis 1. 1081 

John H. 1118 

Manuel 1. 1143 

Alexis II. 1180 

Andronicus. 1183 

Dynasty of “the Angels .” 

Isaac II. (1st time). 1185 

Alexis III. 1195 

Isaac H. (2d time). 1202 

LATIN EMPERORS. 

Baldwin of Flanders. 1204 

Henry of Flanders.1206 

Peter of Courtenay.1216 

Baldwin II. 1228 

John of Brienne.1231 

Dynasty of the Paleologus. 

Michael Paleologus VIII. 1261 
Michael Andronicus II. 

(or I.). 1282 

Andronicus HI.1378 

John V. 1341 

John VI. .. 1355 

Matthew Cantecucuzemus 1355 

John V. 1356 

Manuel II...1391 


A. D. 

John VH. 1399 

John VIII. 1425 

Constantine XII.1448 


FRANCE. 

MEROVINGIAN RACE. 


Pharamond. 420 

Clodion. 427 

Meroveus. 448 

Childeric 1. 458 

Clovis 1. 481 

Clodomir. 511 

Thierry. 511 

Theodebert. 534 

Theodebald. 548 

Childebert 1. 511 

Clothair. 558 


Sigebert I. (in Austrasia) 561 
Cildebert H. (at first in 
Austrasia, and after¬ 
wards in Burgundy) 575-596 
Theodobert (in Austra¬ 


sia) . 596-612 

Caribert (at Paris).... 561-567 
Goutran (of Burgundy) 561-593 
Thierry H. (1st of Or¬ 
leans and 2d of Aus¬ 
trasia. 596-613 

Chilperic I. (at Sois- 
sons in 561, and af¬ 
terwards at Paris)... 567-584 

Clothair II.58F628 

Dagobert 1. 628-638 

Clovis H. (Neustriaand 

Burgundy). 638-656 

Clothair III. (Neustria 

and Burgundy)_ 656-670 

Childeric H. 670-673 

Thierry ni. 673-691 

Clovis m. 691-695 

Childebert III. 695-711 

Dagobert H. (or HI.) 711-715 
Clothair IV.717-719 






























































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY, 


387 


A. D. 

Cliilpcric HE.715-720 

Thierry H. (or IV.) 

Interregnum. 

Childeric III. 742-752 

SECOND RACE. 

Carlovingians. 

Pepin. 687-714 

Theobald.714-715 

Charles, “the Ham¬ 
merer”. 741 

Carloman. 741 

Pepin (called “the 
Bref,” with Carlo- 
man, 741, and reign¬ 
ed alone until. 768 

Carloman. 768-771 

Charlemagne.771-814 

Louis 1.814-840 

Charles II. 840-877 

Louis II..'. 877-879 

Louis III. 879-882 

Charles (the Pat).... 884-887 
Oudon (1st Capetian 

king). 888-898 

Charles HI. 898-923 

Bobert I. (2d Capetian 

king). 922-923 

Bauol. 923-926 

Louis IV.7 936-954 

Lotliair. 954-986 

Louis V. 986-987 


THIRD RACE. 

Capetians. 

Hugh. 987-996 

Bobert H. 996-1031 

Henry 1. 1031-1060 

Philip 1. 1060-1068 

Louis VI. 1068-1137 

Louis VII.1137-1180 

Philip II. 1180-1233 

Louis VIII. 1223-1226 

Louis IX. (Saint) .. 1226-1270 


MNE OF THE PHILIPPINES. 

A. D, 

Philip III. 1270-1285 

Eldest Branch. 

Philip IV. 1285-1314 

Louis X.1314-1316 

John 1. 1316 

Philip V...1316-1322 

Charles IV. 1322-1328 

Branch of Valois—issued from 
Philip III. 

Philip VI. 1328-1350 

John II. 1350-1364 

Charles V. 1364-1380 

Charles VI. 1380-1422 

Charles VII. 1422-1461 

Louis XI. 1461-1483 

Charles VIH. 1483-1498 

Louis XII. 1498-1515 

Francis 1.1515-1547 

Henry II. 1547-1559 

Francis II. 1559-1560 

Charles IX. 1560-1574 

Henry HI-. 1574-1589 

House of “Bourbon,” — issued 
from Bobert, count of Cler¬ 
mont, Qth son of Saint Louis. 

Henry IV. 1589-1610 

Louis XHI.1610-1643 

Louis XIV. 1643-1715 

Louis XV.1715-1774 

Louis XVI. 1774-1793 

Louis XVH. (in pri¬ 
son, but regarded 
as king). 1793-1795 

The ‘ * Bepublic ” pro¬ 
claimed Sept. 21.. 1792-1804 


Napoleon I. (empe¬ 
ror of France, and 
king of Italy) .... 1804-1814 

Louis XVIII.1814-1824 

Charles X. 1824-1830 


























































388 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


House of Bourbon-Orleans. 

A. D. 

Louis Philippe. 1830-1848 

Republic . 1848 

Second Empire. 

Napoleon TIT.. 1852 


SPAIN. 

(After the union of her various 


States .) 

Ferdinand. 1479 

Charles I. (of Germany). 1516 

Philip II. 1556 

Philip in. 1598 

Philip IV. 1621 

Charles H. 1665 

HOUSE OF BOURBON. 

Philip V.... . 1700 

Louis 1. 1724 

Philip V. (again). 1724 

Ferdinand VI. 1746 

Charles m. 1759 

Charles IV. 1788 

Napoleon Joseph.1808 

Ferdinand VH. 1813 

Isabella n. 1833 

HOUSE OF SAVOY—CARIGNANO. 

Amadeus. 1870 


ENGLAND, 

SAXON RACE. 

Egbert... 827 

Ethelwolf. 836 

Ethelbald. 858 

Ethelbert. 860 

Ethelred 1. 866 

Alfred (the Great). 871 

Edward 1. 900 

Atlielstan. 925 

Edmund 1. 941 


A. D 

Edred. 946 

Edwy. 955 

Edgard (the Pacific).... 957 

Edward (Saint). 975 

Ethelred n. 978 

SAXONS AND DANES. 

Sueno. 1013 

Ethelred (re-established) 1014 

Edmund II. 1016 

Canute (the Great).1017 

Harold 1. 1036 

Hardi-Canute. 1039 

Edward (Confessor). 1041 

Harold II.1066 

NORMANS. 

William (Conqueror).... 1066 

William n. 1087 

Henry 1. 1100 

Stephen of Blois. 1135 

PLANTAGENETS. 

Henry n. 1154 

Richard (Lion-hearted). 1189 

John (Lack-land). 1199 

Henry in. 1216 

Edward 1. 1272 

Edward II. 1307 

Edward in. 1327 

Richard n. 1377 

Henry IV. 1399 

Henry V. 1415 

Henry VI. 1422 

Edward IV. 1461 

Edward V. 1483 

Richard IH. 1483 

HOUSE OF TUDOR. 

Henry VII. 1485 

Henry VHI.1509 

Edward VI. 1547 

Lady Jane Gray. 1553 

Mary. 1553 

| Elizabeth. 1558 

































































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


389 


HOUSE OF STUART. 

A. D. 

James 1. 1603 

Charles 1. 1625 

Interregnum. 
1649—52. 

Cromwell, Oliver (protec¬ 
tor). 1652 

Cromwell, Kichard (pro¬ 
tector) . 1658 

RESTORATION OF THE STUARTS. 

Charles II. 1660 

James II. 1685 

William III. (of Orange) 1689 
Anne.*.1702 

HOUSE OF HANOVER. 

George 1. 1714 

George II. 1727 

George III.1760 

George IY. 1820 

Wilham IY.1830 

Victoria. 1837 


DENMAR K. 

Dy nasty of the Shioldungiens. 

From 930 A. D. till 1041. 


Dynasty of the EsthrUhides. 

From 1047 till 1376. 

Various Houses. 

From 1376 till 1448. 

Dynasty of Oldenburg. 

From 1448 until the present 
time (1872). 


NORWAY. 


A. D. 

Halfdan. . 824 

Harald 1. 863 

Eric 1. 933 

Haquin 1. 936 

Harald II. 950 

Haquin II. 962 

Olof 1. 994 

Sueno 1. 1000 

Eric EE. 1014 

Olof II. 1018 

Sueno II. 1030 

Magnus 1. 1036 

Harald III. 1047 

Magnus II. and Orlof III. 1066 

Orloff HI. (alone).1069 

Magnus III. 1087 

Olof IV., Eystein I. and 

Sigurd 1. 1116 

Sigurd I. (alone). 1122 

Magnus IV. and Harald 

IV. 1130 

Harald IV. (alone).1135 

Anarchy for twenty-five years. 

Haquin EH. 1161 

Sigurd HI. 1162 

Magnus VI. 1163 

Sverr. 1185 

Haquin IV. 1202 

Guttorm. 1204 

Hingo I (or H). 1205 

Haquin V. 1217 

Haquin VI.1247 

Magnus VII.1263 

Eric II. 1280 

Haquin VII.1299 

Magnus VIH. (H. of 

Sweden). 1319 

Haquin VEH. 1363 

Olof V. 1380 


Interregnum. 

1387—1389. 



















































390 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


A- D. 

Eric HI. 1389 

“Union of Calmar,” join¬ 
ing Norway, Sweden, 
and Denmark.1397 

Eric ID. 1412 

Until 1814, Norway was from 


1439 governed by the kings of 
Denmark. 

SWEDEN. 

Dynasty of Lodbrog. 

1001—1056. 

Dynasty of StenJcill. 
1056—1129. 

Dynasties ( alternatively ) ofSten- 
, kill and Sverker. 

1129—1250. 

Various Rulers. 

1250—1389. 

“ Union of Calmar 

1389—1523. 

Dynasty of Vasa. 

1523—1654. 

Dynasty of Deux-Ponts. 
1654—1751 
Dynasty of Holstein. 
1751—1818. 

Dynasty of Bernadotte { French ) 
1818 till present time , 1872. 


GERMANY. 

CARLO YIN GIAN S. . 

A. D* 

Charlemagne. 800-814 

Louis 1.814-840 

Lothair. 840-855 

Louis n. 855-876 

Charles 1. 876-877 

Carloman (king of Ba¬ 
varia). 876-880 

Louis III (king). 876-881 

Charles (the fat). 881-887 

Amoul. 896-899 

Louis IV. 899-911 

Conrad 1.912-918 

HOUSE OF SAXONY. 

Henry I.!. 919- 936 

Otho (the Great) .. 962- 973 

OthoII. 973- 983 

Otho in. 996-1002 

Henry n. 1002-1004 

HOUSE OF FRANCONIA. 

Conrad II. 1024-1039 

Henry ni. 1039-1056 

Henry IV. 1056-1106 

Henry V. 1106-1125 

Lothair II. 1133-1137 


HOUSE OF HOHENSTAUFEN. 

Conrad in. 1138-1152 

Frederick 1. 1152-1190 

Henry YI.1190-1197 

Philip. 1198-1208 

Otho of Brunswick. 1208-1218 

Frederick H. 1220-1250 

Conrad IV. 1250-1254 

Interregnum until 1273. 


HOUSE OF HAPSBURG. 

Rudolph 1. 1273-1291 

Adolf. 1292-1298 

Albert 1. 1298-1308 





































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


391 


HOUSES OF LUXEMBURG AND 


BAVARIA. 

A. D. 

Henry YH. 

1308-1313 

Louis Y. 

1314-1347 

Charles IY. 

1347-1378 

Wenceslas. 

1378-1400 

Robert. 

1400-1410 

Joshua. 

1410-1411 

Sigismund. 

1411-1437 

HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. 

Albert II. 

1438-1439 

Frederick HI. 

1440-1493 

Maximilian I. 

1493-1519 

Charles Y. 

1519-1556 

Ferdinand I. 

1556-1564 

Maximilian II. 

1564-1576 

Rudolph H. 

1576-1612 

Mathias. 

1612-1619 

Ferdinand H. 

1619-1637 

Ferdinand III. 

1637-1657 

Leopold I. 

1658-1705 

Joseph I. 

1705-1711 

Charles VI. 

1711-1740 

Charles YII. 

1742-1745 


HOUSE OF LORRAINE. 

Francis I. (of Lor¬ 
raine, grand duke 
of Tuscany, and 
husband of the 
Empress Mary 

Theresa). 1745-1765 

Joseph II. 1765-1790 

Leopold II. 1790-1792 

Francis II. 1792-1806 


AUSTRIA. 

As an empire, Austria has 
existed only from 1806, when 
Napoleon I. compelled Francis 
II. of Germany to renounce his 
title, and to fall back upon his 
Austro-Hungarian inheritance, 


with the title of Francis I. of 
Austria. From that time the 
sovereigns of Austria have 


been : 

A. D. 

Francis 1. 1806 

Ferdinand 1. 1835 

Francis Joseph 1. 1848 


yet reigning (1872). 


PORTUGAL, 

HOUSE OF BURGUNDY. 


Henry (count). 1095 

Sancho 1. 1185 

Alphonsus 1. 1211 

Sancho II. 1223 

Alphonsus II. 1248 

Peter 1. 1357 

Ferdinand. 1367 

John 1. 1385 

Edward. 1433 

Alphonsus III. 1438 

John II. 1481 

Emmanuel. 1495 

John HI. 1521 

Sebastian. 1557 

Henry (cardinal). 1578 

HOUSE OF SPAIN. 

Philip H. 1580 

Philip HI. 1598 

Philip IY. 1623 

HOUSE OF BRAGANZA. 

John IY. 1640 

Alphonsus IY..1656 

Peter H. 1683 

John Y. 1706 

Joseph. 1750 

Peter III and Mary. 1777 

John VI. 1816 

Peter IV. 1826 

MaryH. 1826 

Peter Y. 1853 





























































392 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


TWO SICILIES. 

NORMANS. A. D. 

Roger I. 1130 

William 1. 1154 

William II. 1166 

Constance. 1189 

Tancred and William III. 
(usurpators).1189-1194 

HOHENSTAUFENS. 

Henry VI. 1194 

Frederick I (as emperor) 1197 

Conrad. 1250 

Conradin. 1254 

Mainfroi (usurpator).... 1258 

Commencement of the First 
House of Anjou. 

Charles 1. 1266 

SEPARATION OF THE TWO KING¬ 
DOMS. 

NAPLES. SICILY. 


HOUSE OF ANJOU. 

A. D. 

Charles I. 1282 
Charles II. 1285 
Robert... 1309 
John I. .. 1333 
Charles III. 

1382 

Ladislas . . 1386 
John II..1414 
Louis I. (of the 
second house 
of Anjou, 

1382 

Louis II.. 1385 
Louis III. 1417 
Rene.1435 


HOUSE OF ARA¬ 
GON. A 

Peter L-.. 1282 
James.... 1285 
Frederick I. 

1296 

Peter II.. .1337 

Louis.1342 

Frederick II. 

1355 

Mary.1377 

Martin I.. 1391 
Martin II. 1409 
Ferdinand I. 

1410 

Alphonsus I. 

1416 


SECOND REUNION. 

Alphonsus I. (already king of 

. Sicily). 


SECOND SEPARATION. 


NAPLES. 

A. D. 

Ferdinand I. 

1458 

Alphonsus II. 

1494 

Ferdinand II. 

1495 


SICILY. 

A. D. 

John of Ara¬ 
gon.... 1458 
Ferdinand III. 

1504 


THIRD REUNION. 

Hispanico-Austrian Dynasty . 

Charles I. (V. of Spain) . 1516 
Philip I. (II. of Spain).. 1556 
Philip II. (III. of Spain) 1598 
Philip ELI. (IV. of Spain) 1623 
Charles II. 1665 

After the end of the just-men¬ 
tioned Dynasty. 

Philip IV. (V. of Spain) . 1700 
Charles of Austria. 1707 

THIRD SEPARATION. 


NAPLES. 

Charles IEL 

1713 


SICILY. 

Victor Amade¬ 
us.1713 


FOURTH REUNION. 

Charles IV.1735 

Ferdinand IV. 1759 

FOURTH SEPARATION. 

NAPLES. SICILY. 


Joseph Napo¬ 
leon ....1806 
Murat.1808 


Ferdinand IV. 

1806 


FIFTH REUNION. 

Ferdinand IV. (rein¬ 
stated). 1815 

Francis 1.1825 



























COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


393 


A. D. 

Ferdinand II. 1830 

Francis II. 1859 

- Dethroned by 

Victor Emmanuel.1860 

Second of Sardinia. 


VENICE. 

FIRST PERIOD. 

From the first settlement by 
some families of Aquilea and 
Padua, fleeing from Attila, 
(452), and there residing un¬ 
der a self-insular government 
until 697, when all the islands 
of the colony were united in a 
republic under Anafesto (697), 
first doge (duke). 

SECOND PERIOD. 

From 997, until which time 
Venice was called subject of 
the Eastern empire, down to 
1797, when the territory was 
occupied by Napoleon I., and 
by the treaty of Campo-Formio 
assigned to Austria in return 
for the cession of the duchy of 
Milan and the fine of the Rhine 
to France. 

THIRD PERIOD. 

From 1797 till 1848, under 
Austria. 

FOURTH PERIOD. 

From 1848 until 1849, again 
a republic. 

FIFTH PERIOD. 

From 1849, once more sub¬ 
ject to Austria until the war of 


Italian unity resulted in her 
assignment to the new king¬ 
dom of Italy (1859). 


TUSCANY. 

MARQUISES OF “TUSCIA.” 


A. D. 

Boniface I. 828 

Adalbert 1. 845 

Adalbert II. 890 

Guy. 917 

Lambert. 929 

Boson. 931 

Humbert. 936 

Hugo. 961 

Adalbert HI. 1001 

Reniero. 1014 

Boniface H. 1027 

Frederick. 1052 

Beatrice. 1054 

Matilda. 1076 

Different Republics. 

THE “ MEDECIS.” 

John. 1421 

Cosmo (the Magnific) ... 1429 

Peter 1. 1464 

Lawrence. 1469 

Peter H. 1492 

Julius. 1513 

Alexander 1. 1531 

Cosmo II. 1537 

Francis 1. 1574 

Ferdinand 1. 1587 

Cosmo in. 1608 

Ferdinand II. 1621 

Cosmo IV..... . 1670 

Gaston. 1723 

HOUSE OF LORRAINE. 

Francis II. 1737 






































394 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


A. D. 

Leopold. 1765 

Ferdinand in. 1790 

KINGS OF ETRURIA. 

Louis 1. 1801 

Louis II. 1803 

United to France. 

Eliza. 1809 

HOUSE OF AUSTRIA. 

Ferdinand IH. (reinstat¬ 
ed). 1814 

Leopold n. 1824 

Leopold III. 1846 


RUSSIA. 

Dynasty of Rurik. 


Rurik 1. 862 

Oleg. 879 

Igor. 913 

Olga. 945 

Sviatoslav 1. 964 

Iriapolik 1. 973 

Vladimir 1. 980 

Sviatopolk 1. 1018 

Iaroslav 1. 1019 

Isiaslav 1. 1054 

Veseslav. 1067 

Sviatoslav II. 1073 

Vesvolod 1. 1078 

Svelapolkn. 1093 

Vladimir H. 1113 

Mitislav 1. 1125 

Iriapolik n. 1132 

Viatichlaf. 1137 

Vesvolod H. 1138 

Igor II. 1146 

Isiaslav H. 1146 


AT KIEV. 


AT MOSCOW. 


A. D. 

Rotislavl. 1154 
Isiaslav HI. 

1156 

Matislav VH. 

1167 

Gleb.1168 

Iaroslav n. 

1172 

Roman I. 1179 
Sviatoslav m. 

1179 

Rurik n. 1193 
Roman H. 1193 
Vesvolod in. 


A. D 

Andrew I..1154 
Iourius I. 1163 
Michael I. 1175 
Vesvolod IH. 

1177 

Iourius n. 

1213 

Constantine. 

1217 

Iaroslav II. 

1238 


1206 

Matislav in. 

1212 

Vladimir III. 

1230 

Michael 1.1239 


UNION. 


Sviatoslav HI. 1247 

Andrew. 1249 

Alexander 1. 1252 

Iaroslav MI. 1263 

Basil 1. 1272 

Dimetrius I. :... 1276 

Andrew II... 1294 

Michael II. 1304 

Iourius III •. 1319 

Demetrius II.1323 

Alexander M. 1326 

Ivan 1. 1328 

Simeon 1. 1340 

Ivan n. 1353 

Demetrius IH. 1359 

Demetrius IV. 1362 

Basil H. 1389 

Basil in. 1425 

Ivan III.. 1462 

Basil IV. 1501 

Ivan IV. 1533 

Fedor I. .,. 1584 


























































COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 395 


TRANSITION TO THE ROMANOFFS. I 


A. D. 

Boris Goudonov. 1598 

Fedor H.. 1605 

Gregory Otrepiev. 1605 

Basil V.. 1606 

Vladislav... 1610 

Dynasty of the Romanoffs. 

Michael HE.1613 

Alexis 1. 1645 

Fedor III. 1676 

Ivan V and Peter (the 

Great). 1682 

Peter (alone).1689 

Catherine 1.1725 

Peter II. 1727 

Anna.1730 

Ivan VI.1740 

Elizabeth {Petrovna). ... 1741 

Dynasty of Holstein. 

Peter PH.1762 

Catharine PE.1762 

Paul 1. 1796 

Alexander I.,.1801 

Nicholas. 1825 

Alexander H...1855 


TURKEY, 

OTTOMAN SULTANS. 


Othman 1.1287 

Orkhan.1326 

Amurat 1.1360 

Bajazet 1. 1389 

Soiiman I. 1402 

Mousa. 1410 

Mahomet 1. 1413 

Amurat II. 1421 

Mahomet II.1451 

Bajazet II. 1481 

Selim 1. 1512 

Soiiman II. 1520 


A. D. 

Selim II. 1566 

Amurat III..1574 

Mahomet III. 1595 

Ahmed 1. 1603 

Mustapha I.... «.1617 

Othman II. 1618 

Mustapha I. (2d reign).. 1622 

Amurat IV. 1623 

Ibrahim. 1640 

Mahomet IV. 1649 

Soiiman III.1687 

Ahmed II. 1691 

Mustapha II. 1695 

Ahmed III,. 1703 

Mahmoud 1.1730 

Othman IH. 1754 

Mustapha III. 1757 

Abdul-Hamid. 1774 

Selim III. 1789 

Mustapha IV.1807 

Mahmoud PE.1808 

Abdul-Medjid. 1839 

Abdul-Asiz. 1856 


EGYPT. 

PHARAOHS. 

First and second dynasties, 
Thebans, about 2500 b. c. 

Third and fourth dynasties, 
Memphitics, about 2400 b. c. 

( Other dates unknown .) 

Fifth dynasty, Elephantine. 

Sixth, seventh, and eighth dy¬ 
nasties, Memphitics. 

Ninth and tenth dynasties, 
Heliopolites. 

Eleventh, twelfth, and thir¬ 
teenth dynasties, Thebans. 

Fourteenth dynasty, Xoit. 

Fifteenth, sixteenth, and seven¬ 
teenth dynasties, Thebans. 



























































396 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


Invasion of the Hyscos. 

Eighteenth, nineteenth, and 
twentieth dynasties, Thebans. 
Twenty-first dynasty, Tanites. 
Twenty-second dynasty, Bubas- 
tites. 

Twenty-third dynasty, Tanites. 
Twenty-fourth dynasty, Saites. 
Twenty-fifth dynasty, Ethiop¬ 
ians. 

Twenty-sixth dynasty, Saites. 

Egypt under the Persians, 
524—514 b. o. 

Egypt free until 354 b. c. , when 
again subject to Persia. 

Dynasty of the Lagides. 

b. c. 


Ptolemy 1.323 

Ptolemy II.. 285 

Ptolemy III. 247 

Ptolemy TV. 222 

Ptolemy Y. 205 

Ptolemy YT. 181 

Ptolemy YTI. 146 

Ptolemy Yin. 117 

Ptolemy IX. 107 

Cleopatra I... 88 

Ptolemy X. 81 

Berenicia. 80 

Ptolemy XI. 80 

Ptolemy XII. and XTTT... 80 

Cleopatra II. 52 


Egypt subject to Rome until 638, 

A. D. 

Egypt subject to the Califs of 
Bagdad until 869, a. d. 

Dynasties of the Thoulonides. 
Ichidites, and Fatimiies until 

1171. 


Dynasty of the Ayoubiies until 
1254. 

Mamelukes ( Baharite) until 

1381. 

Mamelukes ( Bordjit ) until 1516. 

Egypt subject to the Ottomans un¬ 
til 1806. 4 „ 

A. D. 

Mehemit-Ali, viceroy.... 1806 


Abbas, viceroy... 1849 

Said, viceroy. 1854 

Ismail, viceroy.1860 


CHINA. 

Dynasties of Fo-hi, Yen-ti, 
Houang-ti, Chao-hao, Tchouen- 
hio, Ti-ko, Yao, and Choun, 
from 3000 b. c. until 2225 b. c. 

Dynasties of Hia (17 reigns), 
Chang (28 reigns), Tchcou (36 
reigns), Thsin (3 reigns), Han 
(25 reigns), Tchcou-han (9 
reigns), Tsin (14 reigns), Song 
(7 reigns), Tsi (6 reigns), Li¬ 
ang (4 reigns), Tching (4 
reigns), Soui (3 reigns), Tang 
(21 reigns), Ileou-h-Ang (3 
reigns), Heou-tang (4 reigns),- 
Heou-tsin (2 reigns), Heou- 
han (3 reigns), Heou-tcheou 
(3 reigns), Song (18 reigns), 
Yen (14 reigns), from2197 b. c. 
until 1279 a. d. 

Ming dynasty, from 1279 un¬ 
til 1363. 

Dynasty now reigning (that 
of the Mandchoux) ascended 
the throne in 1644. 





















COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


397 


HINDOOSTAN. 

Dynasty of the Chandras. 
3200 to 1900 b. c. 

Uncertain Princes. 

1900 b. c. to 1000 A. D. 

Dynasty of the Gaznavides. 

Over a great part of the Penin¬ 
sula, from 1000 to 1185. 

Dynasty of the Ghourides. 

Over all the Peninsula, 

1185-1279 

Subject to the Afghans and the 
Tamerlane Family, 

From 1289 until the fifteenth 
century, when the Peninsula 
began to fall under the control 
of Portugal, England, France 
and Holland. Now the power 
of the few native rulers who 
yet subsist is only nominal. 


JAPAN. 

There are no positive “ data” 
from which we can derive any 
information as to the duration 
of reign of the respective sov¬ 
ereigns of this land. 


PERSIA. 

Dynasty of the Achimenides. 
From 536 b. c. until 336 b. c. 
Alexander (Great) until 323 b. c. 


Dynasties of the Seleucides ana 
Parlhians. 

From 323 b. c. till 226 a. d. 
Dynasty of the Sassanides. 
From 226 a. d. until 652 a. d. 
Califs of the East. 

From 652 a. d. until 1258 a. d. 

Mongols of Iran. 

From 1258 a. d. till 1317 a. d. 
Anarchy. 

Until 1360. a. d. 

Tamerlane. 1360-1405 

Turcomans. 1407-1497 

Sophis. 1497-1732 

Various legitimate and ille¬ 
gitimate rulers until 1794. 

Dynasty of the Kadjars. 

From 1794 till the present time, 
(1872). 


UNITED STATES 
OF AMERICA, 


PRESIDENTS. 

A. D. 

George Washington.1789 

John Adams. 1797 

Thomas Jefferson. 1801 

James Madison. 1809 

James Monroe.1817 

John Quincy Adams.1825 

Andrew Jackson. 1829 

Martin Van Buren.1837 

William H. Harrison (John 
Tyler, before V. P.). 1841 

James K. Polk. 1845 



















398 


COMPENDIUM OF BIOGRAPHY. 


Zachary Taylor (Millard 

Fillmore, before Y. P.) 1849 


Franklin Pierce. 1853 

James Buchanan.1857 

Abraham Lincoln. 1861 


(Ke-elected 1865, but 
assassinated April 14). 
Andrew Johnson (former¬ 
ly Y. P.).1865-1869 


Ulysses S. Grant.... 1869 

(Re-elected). 1873 


MEXICO. 

FIRST PERIOD. 

That anterior to the conquest 
by Cortez (enduring till 1521). 

SECOND PERIOD. 

The colonization of the land 
by the Spaniards (enduring 

tin 1810). 

THIRD PERIOD. 

Embracing three futile at¬ 
tempts at independence, under 
Hidalgo, 1810 ; under Morelos, 
1815 ; under Mina, 1816. In 
1821, Iturbide was proclaimed 
emperor, but was soon deprived 
of power. In 1824, Mexico be¬ 
came a republic, and in 1829 
the victory of Tampico assured 
her independence. 


CHILI, 

FIRST PERIOD. 

Under the sovereigns of Pe¬ 
ru (Incas). 


SECOND PERIOD. 

Under the rule of Spain un¬ 
til 1810. 

THIRD PERIOD. 

Republic until 1814. 

FOURTH PERIOD. ' 

Subject again to Spain until 
1818, and now republic. 


PERU, 

FIRST PERIOD. 

Under the Incas until 1526, 
when Pizarro conquered the 
land. 

SECOND PERIOD. 

Under the Spaniards until 
1824, and now republic. 


BOLIVIA. 

At first, a portion of the 
Spanish vice-royalty of Peru, 
and afterwards attached to that 
of Rio-de-la-Plata, became in¬ 
dependent in 1826, and is now 
a republic. 


BRAZIL. 

Under Portugal from 1500 to 
1624. 

Under Holland until 1640. 

Under the Portuguese house 
of Braganza until 1807. 

Under the latter house, but 
with independent government, 
1807, and now an empire. 




































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